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OMAHA, Neb. – Rising senior Robert Owen moved on to tomorrow night’s finals of the 200 meter backstroke at the U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials after posting a time of 1:57.79 in the semifinals.

The Bridgewater, Mass., native will be making his first appearance in the finals at the Olympic Trials and he is now one of eight athletes who will swim for a shot to represent the United States at the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio di Janeiro.

Owen registered the second-fastest time through the first 100 meters of his heat in the semis and never drifted out of third. His time of 1:57.79 narrowly beat out his 1:58.01 time in the prelims.

“Every swimmer in America dreams of representing our country at the Olympics and tomorrow night Robert has a chance to earn a berth,” said Tech head coach Ned Skinner. “He has worked very hard for this and we are very proud of him. Brandon Fiala had an incredible meet with two semifinal performances and he had put together a memorable 2016 swim season. Both of these men are true Hokies and represent our school in a first class manner.”

Competing against the likes of Olympians Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps, Fiala turned in a 2:03.71 in his semifinal heat of the 200 meter individual medley. Earlier in the day, Fiala swam a 2:01.91 in the prelims to clinch his second semifinals appearance of the Trials.

Freshman Sean Workman and recent graduate Lucas Bureau each won their heats in the 200 backstroke and the 200 IM, respectively. Workman swam a 2:01.91 while Bureau recorded a time of 2:03.22.

The finals of the 200 backstroke will take place tomorrow night with coverage on NBC starting at 8 p.m. EST.

200 Meter Backstroke

5. Robert Owen - 1:58.01; Semifinals, 1:57.79

27. Sean Workman - 2:01.91

200 Meter Individual Medley

15. Brandon Fiala - 2:01.91; Semifinals, 2:03.71

27. Lucas Bureau - 2:03.22

For updates on Virginia Tech swimming & diving, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_SwimDive