April 5, 2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio - MSU freshman kevin Puskaric added to his already impressive weekend at the Toyota Grand Prix by placing sixth in the 200 breast Saturday at Ohio State's McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion. The Mokena, Ill., native placed ninth in the 100 breast just one day earlier. His performances in both breaststroke events are good enough to qualify for the Olympic Trials.

Puskaric clocked a 2:20.26 in the 200 breast, a half-second faster than the Olympic Trial standard. In the morning session, he placed eighth in the 200 breast preliminary round.

"It's been unbelievable what he has accomplished at the Grand Prix," head coach Matt Gianiodis said. "He's performed well against the top swimmers in the country."

Puskaric's sixth-place finish is even more impressive considering it came against multiple Olympians. The 200 breast world record holder, Brendan Hansen, was in the event, taking first place with a time of 2:13.20. Hansen set the 200 breast world record in 2006.