WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.? Fresh off being named the Collegiate National Swimmer of the Week, the University of Kentucky?s junior Jenny Bradford nabbed second place in the 50-meter long course freestyle at the United States Open last night. The meet which is the first national competition of the season, and likely a barometer for the Olympic team, is being held at Purdue University?s Boilermaker Aquatics Center.
Bradford tapped in second place in the ?A? finals in a time of 26.07, finishing just behind 30-year-old Martina Maravcova a two-time silver medalist at the 2000 Olympics. The 21-year-old Bradford enjoyed her top swim of the day in the preliminary round when she clocked in an astounding time of 25.90, also finishing second behind the Olympic-veteran.
?This is really confirmation that she is going to be among the favorites of making the US Olympic Team in 2008,? said Kentucky Coach Gary Conelly.
Bradford has been riding a tidal wave the last two weeks of the season. She currently holds the top 50-yard freestyle time in the nation with a 22.09 time she achieved at the Nike Cup on Nov. 16th. The Groveport, Ohio, native won three events at the meet, the 50-free, 100-free and 100-fly. She broke two UK records, and a Maurice J. Koury pool record to highlight the start of her collegiate season.
Despite being in only her third season with the Wildcats, the blue and white faithful can find her name atop the record books in the 50-free, 100-free and 100-fly. Her name is also among the top-10 in the 200-individual medley. In addition to her individual success, she is a part of four relay teams who hold Kentucky records.
Also participating in the field at the US Open is Kentucky legend Rachel Komisarz. Komisarz tapped in an overall place of 17th last night in the same event as Bradford. Komisarz was participating in the ?C? Final and took the heat in a time of 26.07.
Bradford will also compete in the 100-butterfly and 100-freestyle in the coming days at the US Open. Complete coverage for the US Open can be found at www.usaswimming.org.
Results involving the Wildcats can be found at www.ukathletics.com
