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Naurath, Robison Named to U.S. National Team
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Two Virginia swimmers, freshman Rachel Naurath and senior Scot Robison, have been named to the 2010-11 United States National Team roster, USA Swimming announced this week. The list includes also includes Cavalier alumnus Fran Crippen.
“All of the Virginia swimming and diving family is extremely excited that these two athletes have received the great honor of being named to the U.S. National Team,” Virginia head coach Mark Bernardino said. “This honor doesn’t come without quite a bit of hard work, dedication, perseverance and performance. Both Scot and Rachel are blessed with very strong physical and mental attributes. They have earned the right to be a part of this team.”
Naurath was selected to the team in the 200-meter butterfly after posting a time of 2:09.65 at the ConocoPhillips National Championships held in August in Irvine, Calif. Robison made the squad in the 100-meter freestyle; he clocked a time of 49.36 in the event at the same meet.
Swimmers are selected for the U.S. National Team based on their times in the Olympic events swum in 2010 at either the ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships or the Pan Pacific Championships. Swimmers with the top six times in each event made the squad, however, relay lead-offs and time trials were not included.
Naurath, a native of Manakin-Sabot, Va., was a member of the 2009 Junior National Team and was an All-American in six different events out of the Collegiate School. She competed in both the 400 and 800 freestyle events at the 2008 Olympic Trials.
“I would also like to congratulate Coach Geoff Brown for NOVA Aquatics in Richmond for his wonderful work with Rachel over the course of the last several years in preparing her to becoming part of this team,” Bernardino said. “Now we hope to continue great things with Rachel in allowing her dreams and visions to come true.”
Robison, a Charlotte, N.C., native, made the U.S. squad in the 100 freestyle. He is coming off a stellar season in which he claimed All-America honors in seven events and won the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle events (along with the 200 free, 400 free, 800 free and 400 medley relays) at the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships en route to being named the swimmer of the championships. Robison is the ACC and school record holder in the 100 and 200 freestyle and holds the Virginia record in the 50 free.
Robison’s previous national experience includes the 2009 World University Games, where he won a gold and two silvers as a member of the U.S. team. He qualified for the 2008 Olympic Trials in the 100 fly, 100 free and 200 free, an event in which he reached the semifinals.
“It has been fun to watch Scot progress over the course of the last three years,” Bernardino said. “You really can see the internal drive and high level of motivation that this young man possesses. I would like to congratulate his club coach, Jamie Thomas, as well, on this great honor for Scot.”
Crippen, who swam at Virginia from 2003-06, was named to the 2010-11 Open Water National Team. He was recently named the 2010 Male Open Water Swimmer of the Year by USA Swimming. Crippen won the 10K race at the U.S. National Championships and took bronze in the 5K race at the FINA World Championships.