Lydia Jacoby, the 17-year-old second-place world record holding swimmer from Seward, finished sixth in her Olympic trial qualifier group in the 200-meter breaststroke, which was not fast enough for a chance to take a spot on Team USA in the event.
According to her coach Solomon D’Amico, Jacoby is still waiting to hear if she has a spot on the Olympic team for her time in the 100-meter breaststroke race on Tuesday, when she set the record for fastest time among 17- and 18-year-olds and stepped out of the pool the second-fastest swimmer in the world behind world record holder and former Olympic gold medalist Lilly King.
“It looks really, really good but it isn’t official yet,” D’Amico told the Clarion on Thursday morning.
The Associated Press, NBC sports and Alaska Public Media are all reporting that she’ll likely qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in the 100 after her 1 minute, 5.28 seconds time on Tuesday, making her the first Alaskan to earn a spot on Team USA for swimming.
D’Amico said Jacoby needs three more women to qualify for multiple events in order for her to take an open spot on the roster.
In Jacoby’s 200-meter race Thursday, she tapped in with a time of 2 minutes 31.29 seconds. She finished sixth in her swim out of eight women in her qualifying heats group, and 26th out of 47 women overall. Only the top 16 swimmers in the 200 compete in the semifinals.
D’Amico said he should have a much better idea if Jacoby will make Team USA in the 100-meter breaststroke by Friday or Saturday. Despite Jacoby having to wait to hear if she makes the team, D’Amico said the whole group from Alaska is relatively relaxed. But until it’s for certain, they’re not “counting the chickens before they hatch.”
Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.
