Seidt, Alexander Reach Podium in 200 Back at Phillips 66 Nationals

INDIANAPOLIS – Five members of the Kentucky swimming and diving team qualified for evening swims on night two of the Phillips 66 National Championships in Indianapolis on Wednesday, including sophomore Asia Seidt and senior Bridgette Alexander who each finished inside the top four of the 200-meter backstroke championship final. 

“It was a great night,” Head Coach Lars Jorgensen said. “We had five swims in tonight’s finals which was awesome– I don’t think any other school did that. I’m really proud of all five that swam tonight. Having three earn finals swims in the 200 back was great and kudos to Asia for solidifying a spot on the World University Games roster. She and Bridgette are both in position to make the U.S. National Team which is amazing.”

Seidt turned in the third-fastest time in the 200 back final, going 2:08.99 to earn the bronze medal and secure a spot on the World University Games roster. Alexander was close behind, touching in fourth with a time of 2:10.10 which also puts her in contention for a spot on the roster.

“I was pretty nervous going into this event knowing that I was racing for a post on the Worlds team,” Seidt said. “It really helped having Bridgette next to me because I’ve trained with her all year long. During the race I just tried to focus on myself and swim the race the way I had been practicing. I am really excited to qualify for my first international meet and race people from all over the world.”

In the morning’s preliminary session, Alexander had the third-fastest swim with a 2:09.44, while Seidt sat in fifth with a time of 2:09.95.

“Coming into the meet, my main focus was to go in and do the best I can to put myself in a position to qualify for the U.S. National Team,” added Alexander. “Finishing top five really gives me the confidence to know that I can hang with the best backstrokers in the country, including my own teammates.”

Sophomore Ali Galyer also earned a second swim in the 200 back, finishing sixth in the consolation final with a time of 2:11.77 which improved upon her 2:11.84 finish in the prelims.

Junior Geena Freriks picked up a spot in the 200-meter freestyle consolation final in which she lowered her own Kentucky record in the event to 2:00.05. The swim was good for eighth in the consolation final.

Incoming-freshman Bailey Bonnett secured an evening swim in the 200-meter breaststroke, qualifying for the C final which featured swimmers ages 18 and under. Bonnett finished sixth in the race with a time of 2:33.79.

The Wildcats will remain in action for the rest of the week, with the event concluding on Saturday. USA Swimming’s top domestic event of the season, the Phillips 66 National Championships serves as the qualifying event for the U.S. National Team for the FINA World Championships, World University Games and FINA World Junior Swimming Championships.

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