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Twichell Set for Olympic Debut
8/2/2021 4:30:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
DURHAM – Ashley Twichell, a 2011 graduate of the Duke swimming and diving team, is set to make her Olympic debut as she represents Team USA in the 10K open water event at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
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The women's 10K open water will compete on Tuesday, August 3 at 5:30 p.m., EST. In addition to Twichell, Haley Anderson will also represent Team USA.
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HOW SHE GOT HERE
In her fourth try to make the U.S. Olympic team, Twichell secured a spot on the team with a sixth-place finish in the open water 10K event at the 18th FINA World Championships in Yeosu, South Korea in 2019. Twichell passed a half-dozen swimmers in the final 800 meters during the race to finish in 1:54.50.5 and secure her spot on the team.
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MAKING HISTORY
At 30-years old, Twichell is the eldest rookie for USA Swimming at the Olympics since 1908. In addition, Twichell becomes just the second Blue Devil women's swimmer to represent the U.S. at the Olympic games, joining Nancy Hogshead. Twichell's participation gives Duke Swimming & Diving at least one Olympian in the previous three games as Abby Johnston ('13) medaled in women's three-meter synchronized diving in Rio in 2016 and Nick McCrory ('14) earned bronze in the men's 10-meter synchronized diving at the 2012 London Olympics.
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PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Following graduation, Twichell has become one of the top open-water swimmers in the United States and is set to make her first Olympic appearance. Throughout her career, she is a five-time medalist on the World Championship stage.
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DUKE LEGEND
Twichell is one of two women's swimmers or divers to hold three individual school records at Duke. Her records – 4:42.69 in the 500-yard freestyle, 9:36.22 in the 1,000 freestyle and 15:54.15 in the 1,650 freestyle – are currently the longest standing men's or women's swimming records. Twichell was also a two-time ACC Champion in the 1,650 freestyle, a five-time All-ACC honoree, and three-time individual All-American.
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For more information on Duke swimming and diving, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching @DukeSwimDive.
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#GoDuke
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The women's 10K open water will compete on Tuesday, August 3 at 5:30 p.m., EST. In addition to Twichell, Haley Anderson will also represent Team USA.
Â
HOW SHE GOT HERE
In her fourth try to make the U.S. Olympic team, Twichell secured a spot on the team with a sixth-place finish in the open water 10K event at the 18th FINA World Championships in Yeosu, South Korea in 2019. Twichell passed a half-dozen swimmers in the final 800 meters during the race to finish in 1:54.50.5 and secure her spot on the team.
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MAKING HISTORY
At 30-years old, Twichell is the eldest rookie for USA Swimming at the Olympics since 1908. In addition, Twichell becomes just the second Blue Devil women's swimmer to represent the U.S. at the Olympic games, joining Nancy Hogshead. Twichell's participation gives Duke Swimming & Diving at least one Olympian in the previous three games as Abby Johnston ('13) medaled in women's three-meter synchronized diving in Rio in 2016 and Nick McCrory ('14) earned bronze in the men's 10-meter synchronized diving at the 2012 London Olympics.
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PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Following graduation, Twichell has become one of the top open-water swimmers in the United States and is set to make her first Olympic appearance. Throughout her career, she is a five-time medalist on the World Championship stage.
Â
DUKE LEGEND
Twichell is one of two women's swimmers or divers to hold three individual school records at Duke. Her records – 4:42.69 in the 500-yard freestyle, 9:36.22 in the 1,000 freestyle and 15:54.15 in the 1,650 freestyle – are currently the longest standing men's or women's swimming records. Twichell was also a two-time ACC Champion in the 1,650 freestyle, a five-time All-ACC honoree, and three-time individual All-American.
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For more information on Duke swimming and diving, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching @DukeSwimDive.
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#GoDuke
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