Swimmer Liam Kerns from Billings participated in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the first time on Saturday morning.
Kerns competed in heat five of the men’s 100 breaststroke, finishing sixth with a time of 1 minute, 2.45 seconds. This placed him tied for 65th overall out of 87 competitors, but unfortunately did not qualify for the next round.
The top qualifying time was secured by Nic Fink with a time of 59.24, leading into the evening’s semifinals. Cody Miller, a 2016 Olympian born in Billings and later moved to Las Vegas, finished 12th with a time of 1:00.45 to advance to the semifinals.
Kerns, currently swimming for the University of South Carolina, is one of two Montanans competing in the trials this week. Missoula’s Katharine Berkoff is set to begin her three-event program in the women’s 100 backstroke on Monday. Berkoff, representing North Carolina State, will also compete in the 50 and 100 freestyle races.
