Grant at World University Games

BELGRADE -- After being the only swimmer from both the BYU men’s and women’s teams to make it to the NCAA Championships during the 2009 season, 5-foot-6 sophomore Rachel Grant is currently in Serbia competing at the 25th Universiade Belgrade 2009.

Representing Hong Kong, Grant competed on July 5 in the 400-meter individual medley, placing 12th overall with a time of 4:57.82 and 11th in the 400-meter free relay with a time of 3:54.46. On July 10th she competed in the 200-meter butterfly, placing 18th overall with a time of 2:17.54.

Grant competed in those two individual events for the NCAA Championships last February.

Reflecting on that experience she said, “A lot of girls on the team were really close to making it and maybe next year we can have more girls go. I was really excited that I was able to be invited to the meet. That was a huge accomplishment in and of itself.”

Grant expressed that she was happy with her 400 IM time, but she wishes she could have had a better 200 fly time.

“Rachel did a great job at the NCAAs,” said BYU head coach Tim Powers. “Coach Crump had her ready to go and she swam a great time for the morning. This was her first NCAA Championship and she performed very well.”

Grant was accompanied by head coach Tim Powers, associate head coach Stan Crump and an athletic trainer at the NCAA National Championships.

In Serbia, Grant will be accompanied by her team and her father, Matthew.

This summer Grant has been training with Brea Aquatics in Walnut, Calif. and hopes to continue to improve her times at BYU in the coming season.

“My freshman year I was disappointed in how I swam and I was getting used to the new coaches and program,” said Grant. “I hope to continue improving and doing better each year.”

For live results of the Universiade Games click here.