July 13, 2009

Montreal, Canada - Junior Lauren Lavigna (Vancouver, B.C., Canada) became Missouri's first World Championship qualifier in swimming after finishing second in the 200 backstroke at the World Championship Trials, July 8-11, in Montreal. Lavigna was one of two Tigers competing for their home country of Canada at the three day meet. Freshman Dominique Bouchard finished ninth in the 100 backstroke and fourth in the 200 (2:13.27).

"Lauren just pushed our program into the world spotlight," Missouri Swimming Head Coach Brian Hoffer said. "She is so deserving of anything that she gets because of her focus and commitment to the sport. I feel very lucky for the opportunity to be in Montreal and watch history being made for our program. Lauren and Dominique are going to be a scary one-two punch in the backstroke for the next couple of years."

Lavigna, Missouri's school record holder and 2009 NCAA qualifier in the 200 backstroke, was seeded fourth going into the finals, while Bouchard was seeded first. Rain forced a delay in Lavigna's first appearance of the National Finals. At the end of the 200, Lavigna improved on her best time by 1.5 seconds (2:12.38), finishing second behind Barbara Jardin. Lavigna's time was good enough to make the FINA cut which sends the Tiger swimmer to the World Championships, July 31, in Rome. Earlier in the meet, Lavigna managed her first top eight finish, taking seventh in the 100 backstroke.

Although she failed to qualify for the World Championships, Bouchard was named to the Canada B National Team and will travel with the squad to England, July 28, to swim in two meets. The first, a three-way meet with Canada, Russia and England is set for Saturday, Aug. 1, while the second, the British Short Course Grand Prix, will begin on Thursday, Aug. 6. Lavigna will also compete at the Grand Prix following her run at the World Championships.