Kastes secures Olympic Trials qualifying times

OMAHA, Neb. – University of Arkansas sophomore Katie Kastes qualified for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in two events at the Mutual of Omaha Swimvitational in Omaha, Neb., this weekend. Kastes was one of five Lady Razorback swimmers to compete at the meet. Senior Stephanie Carr, incoming junior Leah Pierce and sophomores Jamie Marks and Erica Totten swam against the top American talent, including Olympians Kate Ziegler, Katie Hoff, Mary DeScenza and Kaitlin Sandeno. Also at the meet were Olympians Michael Phelps, Gary Hall Jr., Erik Vendt, Neil Walker Scott Usher and Eric Shanteau. “We had a fantastic showing against some of the best in the U.S. and the world,” said head coach Jeff Poppell. “Arkansas was very well represented in the finals each night and for an in season competition which included several Olympic medalists, we swam very, very well.” Kastes, a Palm Harbor, Fla., native, qualified to compete in the Olympic Trials in the 400 freestyle and the 400 individual medley. She turned in personal-best times in both events and finished 17th with a 4:18.59 in the 400 free and 17th with a 4:54.61 in the 400 IM. Kastes already qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 100 and 200 butterfly, but bettered her 200-fly time with a 2:14.45, fifth-place finish in the finals. Marks touched in 17th with an individual best 2:17.90 in the 200 fly. She turned in a 15th-place, 9:01.13 in the 800 free and had her best finish of the meet in the 1,500 free where she placed fifth with a 17:01.98. Marks also swam the 400 IM in 5:03.50. Carr had two top-20 finishes. She touched in 12th in the 1,500 free with a 17:19.14 and 13th in the 800 free with an 8:59.05. Carr also turned in a time of 4:25.78 in the 400 free. Pierce’s best finish was 13th in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:36.28. She also placed 23rd in the 100 breast with a 1:13.57. Totten touched in 18th with a 2:18.25 in the 200 fly and had a 4:24.28 in the 400 free and a 2:07.45 in the 200 free. Kastes, Marks, Carr, Pierce and sophomore Ashley Largo compete at the Olympic Trials which are held June 29-July 6 at the same pool in the Qwest Center in Omaha. For more information about Arkansas swimming and diving, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.