University of Georgia Athletics
August 10, 2008 | Swimming & Diving
BEIJING, China Former Georgia swimmer Kara Lynn Joyce helped the United States 400-meter freestyle relay team set the American record and finish second at the Olympics on Sunday.
The team of Natalie Coughlin, Lacey Nymeyer, Joyce and Dara Torres stopped the clock in 3:34.33.
Joyce swam a key leg for the U.S. in the relay, moving the team into second position at the 300-meter mark, 71-hundredths behind the Netherlands. Torres held off Australia and China down the stretch for the silver medal. The Netherlands won gold in an Olympic record time of 3:33.76, while Australia took bronze in 3:35.05.
"We could not be prouder of Kara Lynn," said Jack Bauerle, the head coach for both the United States women's team and the Georgia women's team. "To qualify for the Olympics is memorable enough, but to win a medal is an incredibly significant achievement. She did a great job in her part of the relay. She gave Dara a chance to swim in open water. Kara Lynn did her job to give our relay a chance to medal."
"Everyone did a great job and we're really happy with silver because I don't think we were even expecting that," said Torres, who at 41 became the oldest Olympic swimming medalist in history.
Joyce, the 18-time NCAA champion for the Lady Bulldogs, claimed her third Olympic medal. Joyce won two silver medals at the 2004 Games.
