Drexel University Athletics
Four Dragons to Compete for a Chance to Represent Their Countries in Paris for '24 Olympics
6/18/2024 12:17:00 PM | Men's Rowing, Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Basketball, Women's Swimming & Diving, Drexel Athletics
PHILADELPHIA – Four current and former Drexel student-athletes will be competing to earn a spot on their respective Olympic teams prior to the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Swimmers Sebastian Smith '26 and Rachel Bernhardt '17 will be at the Olympic Trials this week, while Keishana Washington '23 is playing for a spot on Team Canada's Women's Basketball Team. Rower Justin Best '19 has already clinched a spot on the Unites States Rowing team for the second time. The 2024 Summer Olympics will open on Friday, July 26 and close on August 11 in Paris.
Smith, a sophomore, swam a 53.51 in the 100 Long Course Meters (LCM) fly in July of last year which clinched a spot at the U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials in Indianapolis, Ind. He became the first male swimmer in program history to qualify for the Olympic Team Swim Trials by beating the standard time of 53.59. Smith will swim in the 50 meter free on Thursday and then on Friday in the 100 meter fly. Both preliminary events can be seen live on Peacock starting at 11 a.m.
Bernhardt was selected to swim for the 2023-24 U.S. National Team in September. She is the first Drexel swimmer to appear on the team and to do so, she needed to be one of six of the fastest times in her Olympic events. At the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials, Bernhardt will be swimming on Wednesday in the 200 meter breaststroke.
Washington is currently in the second round of the Team Canada Women's Basketball tryouts for the Olympics. Currently, Team Canada's training camp, in Victoria, British Columbia, includes 15 players, including Washington. When the national team travels to Paris, the roster will be trimmed to 12 players.
Best has already clinched his spot on Team USA's rowing team and will be part of the Men's Four team. In his Olympic debut, Best was a part of the Men's Eight boat who took home fourth at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. He is the second Drexel graduate to represent USA Rowing and the Dragons have now had a rower in each of the last four Olympic Games. Steve Kasprzyk '05 was on both the 2012 and 2016 US Olympic Team.
Smith, a sophomore, swam a 53.51 in the 100 Long Course Meters (LCM) fly in July of last year which clinched a spot at the U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials in Indianapolis, Ind. He became the first male swimmer in program history to qualify for the Olympic Team Swim Trials by beating the standard time of 53.59. Smith will swim in the 50 meter free on Thursday and then on Friday in the 100 meter fly. Both preliminary events can be seen live on Peacock starting at 11 a.m.
Bernhardt was selected to swim for the 2023-24 U.S. National Team in September. She is the first Drexel swimmer to appear on the team and to do so, she needed to be one of six of the fastest times in her Olympic events. At the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials, Bernhardt will be swimming on Wednesday in the 200 meter breaststroke.
Washington is currently in the second round of the Team Canada Women's Basketball tryouts for the Olympics. Currently, Team Canada's training camp, in Victoria, British Columbia, includes 15 players, including Washington. When the national team travels to Paris, the roster will be trimmed to 12 players.
Best has already clinched his spot on Team USA's rowing team and will be part of the Men's Four team. In his Olympic debut, Best was a part of the Men's Eight boat who took home fourth at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. He is the second Drexel graduate to represent USA Rowing and the Dragons have now had a rower in each of the last four Olympic Games. Steve Kasprzyk '05 was on both the 2012 and 2016 US Olympic Team.
Players Mentioned
Fly/Free/Breast
/ Men's Swimming & DivingCAA
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