Federal Way, WA – It was an incredible day for the Wagner women’s swimming & diving team as two swimmers competed in day two of the 2015 AT&T US Winter Nationals this morning at the Weyerhaeuser County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, WA.
Junior Anu Nihipali (Honolulu, HI/Hawaii Preparatory Academy) swam the 100 Backstroke while junior teammate Katja Claesson (Fullerton, CA/Troy) swam the 100 Breaststroke during prelims Friday morning.
Nihipali claimed first place in her heat, recording a time of 1:02.77 (Long Course Meters) which qualifies her for U.S. Olympic Trials, making her the first swimmer in Wagner history to make a US Olympic Trial cut. With her time of 1:02.77, she is seated 24th overall in the 100 Back heading into finals Friday night.
Claesson swam the 100 Breast minutes before Nihipali’s 100 Back. The California native produced a 1:12.17 (Long Course Meters) and finished second overall in her heat, missing the US Olympic Trial cut by less than a second.
Nihipali returned for Finals and dropped a place, finishing 23rd overall at US Winter Nationals with an identical time of 1:02.77.
Swimming news courtesy of Wagner Swimming & Diving.