University of Tennessee senior Kira Toussaint has hit her qualifying standard for the 2016 Short Course World Championships. Swimming in a dual meet on Thursday against Louisville (which Louisville won on both the men’s and women’s side), Toussaint took advantage of a new program instituted by the Dutch federation this year to allow it’s American-based swimmers to choose one yards-course meet at which they could earn a converted qualifying time for the World Championships.
Toussaint swam a 51.79 to win the 100 yard backstroke, which also makes her the first swimmer to go better than 52 seconds this season. Toussaint’s goal in the race was a 51.92.
Also trying to take advantage of the rule will be Laurent Bams of Alabama and Dion Dreesens of Division II Queens.
Toussaint’s best time in the event is a 50.85 done at last year’s SEC Championships – her first such meet after transferring from Florida Gulf Coast, where she was already an All-American. Toussaint went on to finish 8th in the 100 backstroke individually at the NCAA Championships – a part of an overall effort that gave her 5 new All-America recognitions for the 2015-2016 season.
The 2016 World Championships will be held this December in Windsor, Canada. Toussaint’s selection has to be confirmed by the Dutch federation. Toussaint is the national record holder in the 100 back in short course meters – having swum a 57.16 at the 2012 European Championships.
A full meet recap will follow.