Herrmann Wins Her 200 IM Heat as Trio of Jayhawks Shine in Omaha
June 27, 2012
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 Former KU standout Danielle Herrmann (2005-09) poses with Kansas junior Brooke Brull after the pair competed in the preliminaries of the 200 IM at Olympic Trials on Wednesday. Herrmann was the fastest swimmer in the fifth heat with a lifetime best time of 2:18.07 |
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OMAHA, Neb. – Former KU swimmer Danielle Herrmann (2005-09) left the pool inside the CenturyLink Center having swum one of the best races of her career. The current Kansas volunteer assistant finished first in the fifth heat of the 200 IM during preliminaries at the 2012 US Olympic Swimming Trials. Herrmann’s time of 2:18.07 placed her 33rd overall out of the 124 athletes in the event.
“It was a really fun swim,” Herrmann said following the race. “After getting a little hyped up for my 100 breaststroke yesterday, (KU head coach) Clark (Campbell) and I talked strategy and about taking it out nice and easy so I had a lot to bring it home.”
Herrmann’s coach, Clark Campbell has been guiding her since her career began at Kansas back in 2005 and was proud to see his swimmer’s career end the way it did.
“Seven years together is long time for a simmer/coach relationship and for her to go out like that was just awesome,” Campbell said. “It was a great swim, very well put together and is a new Kansas Aquatics record, so I cannot be any happier for her.”
Not too far behind Herrmann and her fast finish was KU junior Brooke Brull, who finished the 200 IM with her second best time of 2:21.25 and in fifth place during the fourth heat. The soon-to-be senior captain placed 85th overall.
“I wanted a time drop and I added a second and a half, so it’s not exactly what I wanted but I will take it,” Brull explained.
“She just got up here (to Omaha) late last night,” Coach Campbell explained. “So she still has a couple more days before her signature event which is the 200 back. She will get a chance like Danielle (Herrmann) and Stephanie (Payne) to get into the meet and get into the flow of things.”
Brull’s second and final Olympic Trials appearance comes on Saturday and will likely be the last time a Jayhawk cap can be seen at the pool during the 2012 Olympic Trials.
The final swimmer with Kansas ties to toe the blocks on Wednesday morning was incoming freshman Chelsie Miller, who was competing in her second of three Olympic Trials events. The Houston, Texas native was competing for the Cypress-Fairbanks Swim Club coached by former KU assistant Clayton Cagle. Miller finished the fourth heat three spots behind her future teammate, Brooke Brull with a time of 2:24.50, which put her in 107th place overall.
“Chelsie swam solid but she is a better 400 IM’er than she is a 200 IM’er,” Campbell explained. “She still put together four good strokes and right now this experience is helping her for 2016 when she goes for her Olympic dream.”
Miller’s final Trials event comes on Thursday during the 200 breaststroke. Even though neither Brull, Herrmann or Miller advanced to the finals, there will still be four more chances to catch Kansas swimmers in action during the Olympic Trials.
Looking ahead to Thursday’s action, only one KU swimmer will be in the pool as outgoing Kansas senior captain Stephanie Payne will compete in her final event, when she hits the water for the 200 fly.
“The 200 fly is kind of a signature event for Stephanie in long course,” Campbell said. “I know today’s swim by Danielle will kind of hype her up and get her ready to go.”
Olympic Trials Live Stream: http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=2129&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en
US Olympic Trials Coverage: http://www.usaswimming.org/
