Sept. 26, 2008

AUBURN - Following her performance at the 2008 U.S. Open in Minneapolis, Minn., Auburn junior Ava Ohlgren has been officially selected as a member of the United States National Team that will travel to Belgrade, Serbia for the 2009 World University Games, USA Swimming announced Wednesday.

Ohlgren, a native of Northville, Mich., earned her way on the team after winning the 400-meter individual medley at the U.S. Open with a time of 4:43.30. The U.S. Open was used as a selection meet for the team by USA Swimming.

"I am definitely looking forward to going to Serbia," said Ohlgren. "I love traveling and it is a great way for me to see the world and compete at a higher level."

In all, 26 swimmers (13 men and 13 women) were selected to the team, representing colleges and universities from all over the United States. Swimmers from Auburn, California (Berkeley), California-Irvine, California-Santa Barbara, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Virginia have been assembled to make up the team that will represent the U.S. in the international competition.

Auburn swimmers have won at least one medal at the World University Games every year since 1993, bringing home four medals at the 2007 Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

Ohlgren is no stranger to international competition, representing the U.S. at the 2007 Pan-American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she won two gold medals. During her time at Auburn, she has won two NCAA individual titles, eight SEC titles and 13 All-America honors.

U.S. NATIONAL TEAM FOR 2009 WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES

MEN (13)
Athlete - Hometown - University
Bobby Bollier - Mission Hills, Kan. - Stanford
Chris Brady - Wilmington, Del. - Michigan
Clark Burckle - Louisville, Ky. - Florida
Tyler Clary - Riverside, Calif. - Michigan
William Copeland - Lexington, Va. - California
John Criste - Saugus, Calif. - Stanford
Chad LaTourette - Mission Viejo, Calif. - Stanford
Sean Mahoney - Rio Vista, Calif. - California
Eric McGinnis - Raleigh, N.C. - Kentucky
Matt Patton - Charlotte, N.C. - Michigan
Scot Robison - Charlotte, N.C. - Virginia
Kevin Swander - Carmel, Ind. - Indiana
Rex Tullius - Port Orange, Fla. - Florida

WOMEN (13)
Athlete - Hometown - University
Lyndsay DePaul - Orange, Calif. - California-Irvine
Kelsey Ditto - Austin, Texas - Georgia
Katy Freeman - Concord, Calif. - California-Santa Barbara
Kristen Heiss - Casper, Wyo. - Texas A&M
Madison Kennedy - Avon, Conn. - California
Michele King - York, Pa. - Tennessee
Michelle McKeehan - Franklin, Ind. - Georgia
Chelsea Nauta - Tampa, Fla. - Georgia
Emily Neal - Plano, Texas - Texas A&M
Ava Ohlgren - Northville, Mich. - Auburn
Lauren Rogers - Concord, Calif. - California
Morgan Scroggy - Aurora, Ore. - Georgia
Amanda Sims - Santa Rosa, Calif. - California