Dec. 4, 2015
Luis Martinez is going to Rio next summer. The sophomore butterfly specialist placed third in a time of 52.35 in the 100m fly at the 2015 AT&T Winter Nationals in Federal Way, Wash., on Friday night to earn Auburn swimming’s first spot in the upcoming summer Olympics.
“Huge personal best for Luis when he needed it most,” Auburn head coach Brett Hawke said. “He didn’t flinch next to Michael Phelps and he executed the perfect swim. He made the adjustments he needed from the morning swim and got the cut by 1/100th of a second!”
Martinez entered the finals after posting the fifth-fastest swim in the morning at 52.77. He then lowered it by 0.42 seconds in the finals, going out in 27.65 and covering the final 50 meters in 24.70 to finish behind Michael Phelps (51.38) and Tom Shields (51.41).
“Luis just keeps getting better, and coach (Lauren) Hancock has done an amazing job with him in such a short time,” Hawke said.
McKenna DeBever also competed at the Winter Nationals on Friday, placing 50th in the 100 fly (1:02.55).