Gardner Finishes Liberty Career with Memorable Experience at Lucas Oil Stadium

Sunday, June 16

Indianapolis, Ind.

11:00 AM ET

Liberty University

U.S. Olympic Team Trials

Liberty University hosts the 2023 TYR ’95 Invite in the Liberty University Natatorium on November 19, 2023. (Photo by Joel Coleman)

Gardner Finishes Liberty Career with Memorable Experience at Lucas Oil Stadium

6/16/2024 2:48:00 PM | Women's Swimming & Diving

PDF Results

Competing in front of thousands of spectators at Lucas Oil Stadium, Liberty graduated senior Heather Gardner finished her career by swimming in the 100-meter breaststroke at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Sunday.

Gardner's Results
• 100-meter breaststroke (76^th place overall in 1:13.23)

Notable

Gardner, competing in the fifth out of 10 heats in the 100-meter breaststroke, finished 76^th overall in prelims with a time of 1:13.23.
In order to qualify for tonight's semifinals, she would have needed to swim 1:08.81. Lilly King, the World record holder and 2016 Olympic Gold medalist in this event, earned the top qualifying time, 1:06.05. She was followed by Emma Weber (1:06.67), Kaelyn Gridley (1:06.80) and 2020 Olympic Gold medalist Lydia Jacoby (1:07.25).
Tonight's 100-meter breaststroke, semifinals, which will air live on NBC, will narrow down the field to eight. The top two swimmers in tomorrow's 100-meter breaststroke final will punch their tickets to this summer's Olympics in Paris.
Gardner entered the meet with the 50^th best 100-meter breaststroke time in the field. She swam 1:09.85 during a LCM session at the TYR '85 Invite last fall.
The U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming returned to Indianapolis for the first time since 2000. Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Indianapolis Colts, is the largest venue to date to host the trials.

Historically Speaking

Gardner is the third Lady Flame all-time to compete at U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Teammate Malia Francis will contest the 200-meter backstroke on Thursday.
The Lady Flames sent athletes to U.S. Olympic Team Trials in both 2012 (Laura Day, Brye Ravettine) and 2016 (Alicia Finnigan).
Earlier this spring, Liberty freshman Kamryn Cannings competed in the Canadian Olympic Swimming Trials. Cannings earned one finals appearance, finishing tied for seventh in the 100-meter butterfly.

Up Next
Malia Francis will compete in the 200-meter backstroke prelims, held Thursday morning at Lucas Oil Stadium.