Alum Vanderkaay Clinches Spot on U.S. Olympic Team

	Peter Vanderkaay

June 25, 2012

OMAHA, Neb. -- Former University of Michigan men's swimmer Peter Vanderkaay (2003-06) became the second American-born U-M swimmer to make a trio of Olympic teams as he won the 400-meter freestyle Monday (June 25) at the 2012 United States Olympic Swimming Trials held at CenturyLink Center Omaha.

Vanderkaay won the final with a time of 3:47.67. There were five swimmers with Michigan ties among the eight finalists, including Charlie Houchin (2007-10), who was the next-closest Wolverine, finishing fourth.

Vanderkaay bested Connor Dwyer in the race by .16 seconds, while Houchin was .50 off the pace (3:48.32) to take fourth. Meanwhile, junior Ryan Feeley (Rye, N.Y./Rye) took fifth with a 3:49.25 and sophomore Connor Jaeger (Fair Haven, N.J./Rumson-Fair Haven) placed sixth (3:49.55). Former Wolverine Matt Patton (2006-09) rounded out the U-M finishers with a time of 3:49.90 to place seventh.

Vanderkaay will look to medal in his third Olympic games, after winning gold in the 800-meter freestyle relay in 2004 and 2008 and taking an individual bronze in the 200-meter freestyle (2008).

Day one of trials also featured former U-M volunteer coach Michael Phelps taking second in the 400-meter individual medley with a 4:07.89, while former U-M standout Tyler Clary (2008-10) took third in the race with a 4:09.92.

U-M Results (Day One)

400-meter Freestyle (Final)
  1. Peter Vanderkaay      3:47.67
  4. Charlie Houchin       3:48.32
  5. Ryan Feeley           3:49.25
  6. Connor Jaeger         3:49.55
  7. Matt Patton           3:49.90
 11. Sean Ryan             3:50.69
 52. Adam DeJong           3:59.31
 94. Dane Vanderkaay       4:03.61
 
400-meter Individual Medley (Final)
  2. Michael Phelps        4:07.89
  3. Tyler Clary           4:09.92
 17. Kyle Whitaker         4:23.39
 
100-Meter Breaststroke (Prelims)
115. Casey Sreenan         1:05.36