London’s Calling: Lauren Perdue and Matt McLean

TEMPE, Arizona, July 4. WITH twenty-three days until the London opening ceremonies, the United States takes today to celebrate its Independence. Across the country, families and friends are commemorating the occasion with a day of barbecues and an evening of fireworks.

Last week, Lauren Perdue and Matt McLean both qualified to compete on Team USA’s 800 free relay, and today, Swimming World honors their accomplishment with profiles on these two athletes of the same Alma Mater: the University of Virginia. These two athletes are the fifth and sixth Cavalier swimmers to represent the USA at the Olympic level.

Lauren Perdue:

Due to NBC rights holder restrictions, the following video interview is only viewable until 7/27/2012:

Born on June 25th, 1991, this University of Virginia Senior turned twenty-one on the first day of trials in Omaha. From Lane 1 in the finals of the 200 freestyle, Perdue placed fourth with a time of 1:57.75, securing her an 800 free relay spot and a ticket to London.

Under coach Mark Bernardino, Perdue was a three-time Atlanta Coast Conference Champion (ACC) in the 100 freestyle, making her only the second athlete in ACC history to accomplish this feat. In 2011, she was named the ACC Swimmer of the Year.

Perdue opted to sit out the NCAA Championships this year, instead undergoing back surgery in early March.

When asked about her expectations for making the London Olympic team, Perdue told Swimming World that she thought there was “…Not a chance. It’s been a long, long year and I just have to thank God for this opportunity.”

Before Bernardino, Perdue swam for the Greenville Swim Club in her hometown of Greenville, NC, under head swim coach Casey Charles.

The women’s 800 free relay finals are set to air August 1st.

Matt McLean:

Due to NBC rights holder restrictions, the following video interview is only viewable until 7/27/2012:

24-year old Matt McLean was born on May 13, 1988 in his hometown of Sterling, Virginia. McLean finished fifth in the men’s 200 freestyle in Omaha, and had to wait several days for the formal announcement from USA Swimming on whether he made the relay team bound for London.

A 2011 University of Virginia graduate, McLean trained under Cavalier head coach Mark Bernardino. In that time, he was named 2008 and 2011 ACC Swimmer of the Year and was the 2008 ACC Champion in the 200 freestyle. In 2011, McLean won Gold in the 500 freestyle at the NCAA Championships.

McLean currently trains with the FAST Swim Team under coach Jon Urbanchek.

After the 200 free prelims in Omaha, McLean told Swimming World Magazine that in preparation for the 200 freestyle finals, “I’m going to do whatever I can.”

The men’s 800 free relay finals are set to air July 31st.

After Perdue and McLean earned spots on the London Olympic team, University of Virginia head coach Mark Bernardino told NBC29.com, “I believe both Lauren and Matt are extremely deserving of this honor and will be outstanding representatives of our country, our sport, and our university.”

Written and Posted by Shoshanna Rutemiller
@ShoshyJean

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