Three Mustangs qualify for Rio Olympics

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Mustangs Qualify Three For Rio Olympic Games
Rangelova, Nicol, Samardzic Headed to Brazil

April 20, 2016

DALLAS (SMU) – As qualification continues for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, three current or former Mustangs have already punched their tickets to represent their respective countries at the highest level of competition. Nina Rangelova (Bulgaria), Rachel Nicol (Canada) and Matea Samardzic (Croatia) have reached Olympic Qualifying Time Standards in at least one event.

Current volunteer assistant coach Rangelova was a member of the Mustang squad from 2010-2014 earning seven All-America honors. Rangelova reached the Rio A cut in the 200-meter freestyle and will swim that event in August, with the possibility of adding the 50- and 100-meter distances to her schedule. This will be the third Olympics for the Bulgarian, as she competed in the preliminary round of the 200 free at the Beijing Games in 2008 and the 100, 200 and 400 free heats at the 2012 London Games.

Rangelova currently holds Bulgarian National Records in all three events.

Nicol will compete in her first Olympics, representing Canada as one of two swimmers in the 100-meter breaststroke. She posted a second-place finish at the country’s trials in April to secure her position on the team. Her 1:06.88 posted during trial prelims gives her the 14th fastest time in the 2015-16 world rankings.

During her time at SMU, she was a three-time All-America selection. She also holds the current program record in the 200-yard breaststroke.

Samardzic, who is set to join the program for the 2016-17 season as a transfer, reached her qualifying standard in the 200-meter backstroke with the possibility of also competing in the 100 distance as well as the 400-meter individual medley. Samardzic clocked a 2:09.73 in the 200 at the Croatian National Championship placing her in a tie for 17th on the 2015-16 FINA top times list.

FINA will announce the final list of qualifiers for the Games on July 3. Swimming action runs from Aug. 6-13.

The following current or former Mustangs have posted FINA B standards for Rio this season.

Rachel Nicol (Canada)
Nina Rangelova (Bulgaria)
Matea Samardzic (Croatia)
Christian Scherubl (Austria)
Isabella Arcila (Colombia)
Jonathan Gomez (Colombia)
Lucas Schenke (Germany)
Vicky Cunningham (Great Britain)
Mindaugas Sadauskas (Lithuania)
Marne Erasmus (South Africa)
Kirsty McLauchlan (South Africa)
Tara-Lynn Nicholas (South Africa)
Nathalie Lindborg (Sweden)