PALO ALTO, Calif.---CSU Bakersfield Men's Swimmer Chris
Pipes (Sr., Fresno, Calif., Merced College) qualified for the 2012 US Olympic
Trials in the 50 freestyle at the 2011 ConocoPhillips National Championships at Stanford's
Avery Aquatic Center this past weekend.
On
his first attempt in the 50 freestyle, Pipes posted a time of :23.49,
just missing the cut of :23.58. Pipes' second attempt came during the
time trials on Aug. 6. Pipes posted a time of :22.88, the 28th fastest
time charted by a US Swimmer during the 2011 season.
"This was a huge swim for Chris, the Roadrunner Aquatic Club, and CSUB," said CSU Bakersfield Director of Swimming Chris Hansen.
"Chris' performances have let our competition know that CSUB is not
messing around. Next up, Chris and I need to sit down and make a plan
four the MPSF, NCAA, and Olympic Trials."
The
50 free marks the second event in which Pipes has qualified for 2012
Olympic Trials as he made the Olympic Trials' cut earlier in the week in
the 100 freestyle.
Pipes led off the Roadrunner Aquatic Club's 4x100m freestyle
relay by posting a time of :51.37. The Olympic Trials' cutoff time in the 100
free (Long Course) is :51.69. The relay which was comprised of Pipes, Mark
Silvius (R-Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., Liberty HS), Peter Bardessono (Sr.,
Elverta, Calif., American River College), and Brian Martinez (So., Las
Vegas, Nev., Arbor View HS) finished 23rd (of 41 teams) in the event
with a mark of 3:29.14.
"After
a strong showing by all of our college swimmers, ending with this
individual time by Chris has opened the eyes of many recruits," Hansen
said. "All of our men's and women's swimmers rocked this Summer. I am
super proud of how this team has developed in three short years."
Pipes has been put on a short list of people to watch for the upcoming national team selection meets. The 2012 US Olympic Trials will be held in June of next
year at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb.
~www.GoRunners.com~
