August 2, 2007

Grove City's Courage qualifies for U.S. Olympic Trials

INDIANAPOLIS -- Grove City College swimmer Caleb Courage (Shippensburg, Pa./Shippensburg) has qualified for next summer's United States Olympic Trials in the 100-meter freestyle. Courage qualified for the Trials by posting a time of 51.53 seconds in the preliminaries of the 100-meter free Tuesday afternoon at the USA Swimming National Championships, hosted by Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI).

Courage surpassed the Olympic Trials qualifying standard of 51.59 seconds. Courage entered the event with a seed time of 52.15 seconds.

"I'm very pleased to make it under the standard," Courage said. "It was kind of a strange race. I didn't feel like I went very fast but I was able to drop the time I needed to."

Courage is the two-time defending NCAA Division III champion in the 100-yard freestyle and has earned 11 NCAA Division III All-America citations. He admits that the USA Swimming National Championships is a different type of environment than what he has experienced as a collegiate athlete.

"It is definitely the biggest meet I've been in, but it's been a really neat experience," Courage said. "There are a lot of fast people and I am getting a little taste of the upper level guys. I just go out and swim as fast as I can -- there's no pressure on me. I feel like I am progressing at the rate I'm capable of."

Courage is currently training with the Mecklenburg Aquatic Club, based in Charlotte, N.C. He is one of several team members currently in training for a possible spot on the United States Olympic Team.

"It's a really great group of people," Courage said. "I am learning so much and I hope to keep dropping times."

Courage will compete in the 50-meter freestyle Saturday at the National Championships. The U.S. Olympic Trials will be held at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb. June 30-July 7, 2008.

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