Husker Duo Succeeds in Earning Spots at U.S. Olympic Trials

    The state of Nebraska will play host to the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials at the CHI Health Center, formally known as the CenturyLink Center, in Omaha for the fourth consecutive time in 2020. The event, which has become a showcase event with sellout crowds of approximately 14,000 for each day of the trials, has given Nebraska a chance to showcase its love and support for swimming.   
    Sophomore Audrey Coffey secured her ticket to Omaha for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials as she raced to victory in the 1500-meter free. The Illinois native's 16:48.76 time broke the current school record. A strong distance swimmer, Coffey swam to a top-24 placing in the 1650 free at the 2019 Big Ten Championships during her freshman campaign.  
    Junior and three-time NCAA Championship Qualifier Autumn Haebig is set to compete in the Trials. The Wisconsin native qualified in the 100 back, 200 and 400 free. Throughout Haebig's two seasons at Nebraska, she accumulated 28 top-five finishes, including 14 victories. Haebig is the current Nebraska record holder in the 400-meter free (4:14.96) and in the 100-meter back (1:01.91).
    At the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, the Huskers were represented by Omahans Alexandra Bilunas (50 free) and Erin Oeltjen (100 back, 200 back), joined by Husker teammates Taryn Collura (Phoenix, Ariz., 50 free, 100 fly), Jordan Ehly (Albuquerque, N.M., 200 breast), Morgan McCafferty (Reynoldsburg, Ohio, 100 back) and Katt Sickle (Grain Valley, Mo., 400 free). The 2016 Husker participants tripled the number from the 2012 trials (Bailey Pons, 400 free; Shannon Guy, 100 fly).
    The state of Nebraska, the Midwest and the entire swimming community took a monumental step on June 28, 2005, when USA Swimming announced Omaha as the host city for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials. After the 2008 Trials proved to be a resounding success, as well as the subsequent 2012 and 2016 Trials, officials from USA Swimming and the Omaha Sports Commission announced that return of the event to Omaha in 2020.            
    "It came down to the fact that the setup in Omaha for the athletes and coaches is just the best out of all the candidate cities," said Mike Unger, USA Swimming assistant executive director.      
    The 2008 Trials drew a record 160,003 fans over eight days and 15 sessions. The 2016 Trials smashed those numbers, with all 15 sessions sold out and attendance exceeding 200,000 for the first time. In 2004, attendance was just over 100,000.          
    The CenturyLink Center has served as a home away from home for Husker athletics the past several years. In 2015, the Nebraska volleyball team captured its fourth NCAA title and its second in Omaha. The 2006 Huskers claimed Nebraska's third NCAA volleyball title in Omaha as well. The CenturyLink Center also played host to the 2012 NCAA Volleyball Championships. Nebraska also hosted the Big 12 Wrestling Championships at the CenturyLink Center and the men's basketball team played there in a game against Oregon in 2007.