MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. ? Rising junior swimmer Eric McGinnis claimed the 22nd overall spot in the 100-freestyle to lead all UK athletes in the United States Open swimming competition Wednesday in Minneapolis, Minn.

McGinnis improved four spots from his seed time when he touched the wall in a personal-best time of 51.02 in the 100-free this morning. The junior-to-be entered the meet with a 26th overall seed after securing an entry time of 51.22. McGinnis has now clocked in personal-best times in both sprint freestyle events this summer. He owns the third overall seed in the 50-free which he will take to the blocks on Saturday in that heat. At the US Olympic Trials in early July, McGinnis clocked in the ninth best American time in the event and is aiming to earn a spot in the event for the World University Games this week.

Also in action for the Wildcats today was rising sophomore Tyler Reed. Reed placed 32nd overall in the 100-free having touched the wall in a time of 50.65. The time is just a shade off of his personal top time set earlier this summer.

Reed will be back in action in the 200-free in which he holds an entry time of 1:53.04 and the 43rd seed.

The U.S. Open will serve as the selection meet for the 2009 World University Games, to be held from July 2-7, 2009, in Belgrade, Serbia. The highest placing athlete in each event who will be enrolled as a full-time university student through Jan. 1, 2009 will to be invited to the World University Games Team.

The meet will follow the traditional schedule of morning prelims and evening finals with the morning sessions starting each day at 9 a.m. CT and evening finals beginning at 6 p.m. CT.

Updates on each of the Wildcat swimmers will also be posted on UKathletics.com.