Neuhaus Qualifies for US Open

Helene Neuhaus of the Central Connecticut swimming and diving team raced a time of 1:03.97 in the 100 meter backstroke at the Connecticut Senior Open at Wesleyan University this weekend. She followed Friday's performance with a time of 1:03.34 in the 100 backstroke leg of the 400 medley relay on Saturday, qualifying for the US Open in Irvine, CA July 30-August 3 and breaking the Estonian national record.

CONNECTICUT SENIOR OPEN RESULTS

Neuhaus, who will be one of three to captain the 2013-14 CCSU squad as a senior, placed first on Friday evening, outswimming her nearest competitor by over two seconds. Her impressive time not only surpassed the US Open qualifying standard of 1:03.99, it would also have been fast enough to qualify her for the 2012 Olympic Team Trials.

On Saturday, Neuhaus opened the 400 medley relay with a time of 1:03.34 in the 100 backstroke portion of the race, breaking the Estonian national record in the event. A dual citizen of the U.S. and Estonia, Neuhaus intends to try out for the 2016 Estonian Olympic team.  

Neuhaus currently holds the Central Connecticut record in the event with her time of 55.86, which she set at the Northeast Conference Championships this past season. She boasted times of less than one minute five times in the 100 backstroke during the 2012-13 season.

The US Open competition in Irvine, CA will kick off July 30, with the 100 backstroke event slated for day four of competition, Friday, August 2.