McLean, Naurath to Compete in 2011 World University Games

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Two members of the Virginia swimming and diving teams – senior Matt McLean and freshman Rachel Naurath – have been chosen to represent the United States in the 2011 World University Games. The event is scheduled for Aug. 14-19 in Shenzhen, China.

Naurath and McLean are two of 47 swimmers who will represent Team USA at the World University Games.

“This is Matt’s first selection to a national team and it is one of his lifelong goals,” Virginia head coach Mark Bernardino said. “This will also be Rachel’s first opportunity to represent her country as a senior national swimmer. We are thrilled they will be able to represent their country – and the University of Virginia – and know they will do so to the best of their abilities.”

Naurath is a native of Manakin-Sabot, Va., will compete in the 200-meter butterfly at the World University Games. She already ranks among the top-10 all-time in Virginia history in three events – the 500 freestyle, 1000 freestyle and 200 butterfly – and will compete in her first ACC Championships next week in Atlanta.

McLean, who hails from Sterling, Va., will represent Team USA in the 200-meter freestyle and as a member of the 800 freestyle relay team. McLean is the conference and school record holder in three events – the 500 freestyle, 1000 freestyle and 1650 freestyle. He is a 10-time All-American and 13-time ACC champion in his three full seasons as a Cavalier. McLean was twice been named the ACC swimmer of the championships (2008, ’09) and was the 2008 conference swimmer and rookie of the year.

Taking place every two years, the World University Games are in international multi-sport event organized for university athletes by the International Sports Federation (FISU). Swimmers of the 2011 World University Games roster were selected based upon their performance at the 2010 ConocoPhillips National Championships. All Athletes selected for the team must be at least 17 years old and less than 28 years old on Jan. 1, 2011.

The Virginia swimming program has had a long line of participants at the World University Games. Current team members Scot Robison (United States) and David Karasek (Switzerland) both competed in the 2009 event held in Belgrade, Serbia, where Bernardino also served as the head men’s coach for Team USA.

Eight different swimmers have represented the U.S. at the WUGs since 1999.