July 5, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State sophomore Melissa Rodriguez (Chihuahua, Mexico) is set to represent Mexico at the World University Games in Kazan, Russia next weekend. Rodriguez will swim in the 100m and 200m breaststroke.
The 100 breaststroke preliminary heats are scheduled to begin Thursday, July 11, at 1:24 a.m. ET, while the semifinal heats will follow shortly after at 1:36 a.m. ET. Meanwhile, the 200 breaststroke prelims will start at 1:00 a.m. ET Saturday. See the complete schedule below.
Rodriguez burst onto the scene as a freshman, breaking the Penn State record in both the 100 (1:00.54) and 200 breaststroke (2:10.29). The rookie surpassed the previous school record in the 200 breaststroke at the Big Ten Championships, before placing 19th at the NCAA Championships and bettering her own school standard in 2:10.29.
The freshman captured sixth place overall in the 100 and 200 breaststroke at the Big Ten Championships, finishing as the second-fastest freshman in both events. Rodriguez also took first place in three events during the regular season, including a sweep of the 100 and 200 breaststroke against Navy on January 26.
The Nittany Lion women capped off a strong showing at the Big Ten Championships with a third place finish last spring, sending 13 swimmers to the NCAA Championships.
100m Breaststroke (All times Eastern)
Prelims: 1:24 a.m., July 11
Semis: 1:36 p.m., July 11
Final: 1:51 p.m., July 12
200m Breaststroke (All times Eastern)
Prelims: 1:00 a.m., July 13
Semis: 1:36 p.m., July 13
Final: 2:11 p.m., July 14