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Pat Schirk Advances to Semifinals of 100 Backstroke at Olympic Trials

June 30, 2008

Omaha, Neb. - Pat Schirk, who entered U.S. Olympic Trials as the 12th seed in the 100-meter backstroke, finished seventh in the preliminary heats of the 100 back this morning on the second day of Trials and will swim in the semifinals of the 100 back tonight. The 100 back semis as well as the semis or finals of six other events will be televised live on the USA Network tonight from 8-9 p.m.

Schirk touched the wall in :54.52, just 1.24 seconds behind the first place finisher. He also finished just one spot and .38 of a second behind world record holder Aaron Peirsol.

Additionally, former Penn State swimmer Corrie Clark advanced to the semifinals of the women's 100-meter breaststroke as she finished 13th in the prelim heats. Clark, who still holds the Penn State school record in the 200-yard breaststroke, touched the wall in 1:09.56 and will be a part of one of the two semifinals heats tonight, which will be shown live on USA.

Check GoPSUsports.com tonight for a complete wrap of Penn State's swimmers action on the second day of Trials.