Spartan Athletes Raise the Bar

UT swimmer Jeremy Parker ’16 has qualified for the United States Olympic Trials following his performance July 29 in the 50 Freestyle.

Parker finished in a time of 22.87 at the 2015 Dolfin Summer Senior Beach Blast Championships at the Long Center in Clearwater. Parker also represented the Greater Tampa Swimming Association (GTSA).

A senior from Tampa, Parker is a two-time All-American and was named to the All-Sunshine State Conference team in 2015. He is also a school record holder in three events, including the 200 Medley Relay, 200 Free Relay and 800 Free Relay.

In July, Parker’s teammate, Jordan Augier ’16, competed for his home country, Saint Lucia, in the 2015 Pan American games in Toronto. Augier kicked off the experience by serving as the flagbearer for the Saint Lucian team during the opening ceremony.

In the 100 freestyle, Augier became the first Saint Lucian and Organization of Eastern Caribbean States male swimmer to qualify for the Pan American games “B” Final. Augier finished fourth in his heat and 12th overall with a time of 50.83 seconds. The time is a new Saint Lucian national record.

Augier, an economics major, is an academic and athletic all-American. He hopes to qualify for the Rio Olympics at the FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia, in August.

In addition, The University of Tampa cheerleading team, which attended the National Cheerleading Association camp in Boston this July, has been offered a silver paid bid to the Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship in the spring.

"We are so excited," says head coach Mannie Rotella. "This was our team's first-ever college cheer camp so it was a huge deal to earn a bid in our first year. This is super exciting for us because not only did we qualify to go to nationals, but they are giving us a paid bid."

For more news on UT Athletics, visit tampaspartans.com.