Former Gophers swimmer Bowe Becker selected for Olympics

Former Gophers swimmer Bowe Becker was named to the U.S. Olympic team Sunday on the final day of the Olympic trials in Omaha.

Becker, who finished his Gophers career in 2019, finished fourth in the men's 50-meter freestyle Sunday in a personal-best time of 21.78 seconds. He made the Olympic team by virtue of his fifth-place performance in the 100 free Thursday. The top four men in the 100 free automatically make the Olympic team, with the third- and fourth-place finishers added to the relay pool. The fifth- and sixth-place finishers can be added later if roster spots remain, and results on the final day of the trials allowed Becker to make the cut.

A Las Vegas native who now swims for the Sandpipers of Nevada, Becker won three Big Ten titles for the Gophers. He was the NCAA silver medalist in the 100-yard freestyle in 2019. Becker swam a personal-best 48.22 in the finals of the 100 free at trials.

"Bowe has prepared so well this year," Gophers coach Kelly Kremer said. "He's believed in what he's doing and followed our plan. Saying I am proud of and happy for him doesn't cover it."