University of Tennessee Athletics
Persson Earns Gold at Euro Championships with Sweden Relay
March 26, 2008 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Tennessee swimmer Jonas Persson earned a gold medal this month at the 29th LEN European Swimming Championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands.??
??
Persson and three fellow Swedes splashed past the Italians in the 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay, clocking in first with a time of 3:15.41. Italy finished second in 3:15.77.??
??
???As a part of preparation for both the NCAA championships and the Olympic games, Persson performed strongly at the European Championships,??? UT head coach John Trembley said. ???His 48.03-anchor leg of the relay accomplished many things. He solidified his position on the Sweden Olympic team and will compete in Beijing this summer. Also, he validated his training and hard work during this preparation cycle which will culminate at the NCAA championships.?????
??
His anchor leg actually beat his former personal best time by over a second.??
??
Persson will also be a crucial part to the Tennessee freestyle and medley relays. Persson is also scheduled to compete in the 100 and 200 freestyles. Trembley believes that, despite the busy spring which includes the SEC, European and NCAA championships for Persson, he will excel this week.??
??
???The coaches here at UT and in Sweden have worked close together to maximize Persson???s training and competition schedule,??? Trembley said.??
??
Persson and the Vols prepare for the 2007-08 Championships that begin Thursday in Federal Way, Wash.
