Four Wildcats Named to USA Swimming National Team for 2017-18

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky swimmers Bridgette Alexander and Asia Seidt, along with head coach Lars Jorgensen and assistant coach Allison Reed, have earned appointments to the 2017-18 United States National Team, USA Swimming announced Friday. This is the fourth consecutive year the Wildcats have been represented on the roster.
 
“It’s a huge accomplishment and really the highest honor in our sport to represent your country,” said Jorgensen. “I’m so proud to have a group from UK representing Team USA and believe there are even greater things to come for this program.”
 
The US National Team is comprised of the top six athletes in each individual Olympic event from the combined results of the 2017 Phillips 66 National Championships, 2017 FINA World Championships, 2017 World University Games and the 2017 U.S. Open.
 
Both Seidt and Alexander earned spots on the team in the 200-meter backstroke following tremendous performances on the national and international stage this summer. Seidt and Alexander own the fourth- and fifth-fastest times in the nation this year after finishing third and fourth, respectively, at the Phillips 66 National Championships. The duo went on to represent the United States at the World University Games in Taipei, where Alexander claimed the bronze medal and Seidt finished fourth.
 
Jorgensen makes his second consecutive appearance as a US National Team coach in 2017-18, while Reed makes her debut.
 
Kentucky’s 2017-18 swimming and diving season kicks off with its annual intrasquad scrimmage on Sept. 29 before hosting its first dual meet against Vanderbilt on Oct. 4.
 
For the latest on the Kentucky swimming and diving program, follow @UKSwimDive on Twitter, on Facebook at Facebook.com/UKSwimDive, and on the web at UKathletics.com.