Cothern and Jones post great swims at Olympic Trials
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Bella Cothern and Bradi Jones swam in the U.S. Olympic Trials, marking Cothern’s first time earning an opportunity to swim on one of the most prominent stages. Jones competed in the 2021 US Olympic Trials in Omaha, Nebraska and punched her ticket to Indianapolis in May.
The Olympic Trials draw only the most elite competition for coveted opportunities to represent the U.S. in this summer’s games. “Bradi and Bella represented us well in Indianapolis,” said head coach Neil Harper, “They had two strong swims, another personal best and gained great experience for their upcoming senior year.” Cothern posted a 25.69 in the 50m Freestyle on April 28, qualifying her to compete in the Trials. Jones swam a 1:10.05 100m Breaststroke on May 17 to lock down her second trip to the Olympic Trials.
Cothern commented on the dedication and hard work that took her and Jones to Indianapolis, “I realized it was possible for me to qualify and I could do it, I put my head down and got to work. It wasn’t always fun, or easy. I had to make sure all of my boxes were checked each day, making sure that I gave 100% of what I had that day.” Cothern walked away with a personal best (25.48) from the trials. Bradi Jones swam 1:10.64 in the 100m Breaststroke. “It speaks to the level of athlete that we recruit and the aspirations and expectations we have,” said Coach Harper of the tremendous successes of Razorback athletes on the international stage. Several members of the Razorback Swimming and Diving program swam in this year’s trials for Britain, Italy, and the Czech Republic.