May 12, 2012

Charlotte, N.C. - As the countdown continues toward the U.S. Olympics Trials, Fordham swimmers Brienne Ryan and Devon Morris traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina, this weekend to compete in the 2012 Charlotte Ultra Swim, a USA Swimming Grand Prix Event, held at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center.

Ryan, who has already qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials, had an eventful day on Saturday, as she went up against some of the best backstrokers in the country, which included U.S. Olympian and American record holder in the 100 meter backstroke, Natalie Coughlin. Ryan showed she belonged with the elite swimmers, posting a time of 1:02.14 to qualify fourth for the 100 backstroke final later in the night.

In the final, Ryan remained fourth, cutting half a second off her time at 1:01.54. Elizabeth Pelton and Rachel Bootsma tied for first in the event at identical times of 1:00.25, while Coughlin was third in 1:00.83.

Morris is trying to join Ryan and former Fordham track star Melissa Salerno as U.S. Olympic qualifiers for this year. In the 50 meter freestyle, Morris posted a preliminary time of 24.34 seconds, which was 53rd out of 82 competitors.

On Sunday, Ryan was right back to work in the 200 meter backstroke, as she qualified for the Olympic trials in that event in 2:16.98, which put her in the "B" final of the Grand Prix.

In that final, Ryan bettered her time to 2:16.07, which was fourth in the "B" final, and good for 12th overall.

Morris competed in the 100 meter freestyle, placing 61st in the preliminaries in a time of 53.14 seconds.