Twichell, Beall & Hancock Set For Olympic Trials

DURHAM, N.C. - Duke rising sophomore Ashley Twichell, rising junior Shannon Beall and former Blue Devil Lauren Hancock will compete in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The Olympic Trials are set for June 29-July 6 at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb.

Twichell obtained an Olympic Trial cut for the 400 freestyle event at the NC Charlotte UltraSwim meet on June 8, as she finished eighth in preliminary competition with a mark of 4:19.29, besting the Olympic Trial qualifying standard of 4:19.39.

In her first collegiate campaign, Twichell broke four individual school records (200 free, 500 free, 1000 free, 1650 free) and was a member of two school-record setting relay squads (400 free relay, 400 medley relay). The Fayetteville, N.Y., native became the first Duke swimmer to be sent to the NCAA Championships since 2004 and went on to place 16th in the 1650 free event to earn All-America honors. Twichell also earned All-ACC honors in February for her performance in the 500 and 1650 free races at the 2008 ACC Championships.

Beall secured an Olympic Trial cut for the 100 butterfly on March 2 at the Yellow Jacket Long Course Invitational in Atlanta, Ga., touching in 1:02.32, besting the mandatory cut of 1:02.39.

Over her sophomore campaign in 2007-08, Beall led Duke in the 100 and 200 fly events as well as the 200 IM event. The Alpharetta, Ga., native is a member of four school-record setting relay teams (200 free relay, 400 free relay, 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay), as all four records were set in 2008.

With a time of 2:19.36 in the individual medley, Hancock qualified for the Olympic Trials at the Speedo Champions Series 2007 Summer Southern Section held at Auburn University. She also notched an Olympic Trial for the 100 butterfly, touching in 1:02.26 at Speedo Sectionals in Nashville, Tenn., in March.

A 2004 Duke graduate, Hancock served as captain of the women's swimming and diving team for the 2003-04 season. The Pendleton, S.C., native spent a year as an assistant coach at Duke upon graduation and since has returned to swimming competitively. Hancock currently trains in Knoxville, Tenn., with the Pilot Aquatic Club of Knoxville (PACK).

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