Distance Freestyler Claire Therien Makes Verbal Commitment To Rice
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The Rice Owls will get a talented freestyler/IM swimmer on the women’s swim team next year, as Claire Therien has committed to joining the team in fall 2016.
“The caring coaches, team family and awesome academic program made falling in love with Rice easy,” Therien said. “I am excited to be swimming for Rice!”
Therien was a top-eight finisher in the inaugural California high school state meet last May, placing seventh in the 500 free with a 4:56.41 while representing Sam Ramon Valley High School. She was off her lifetime best of 4:53.91, but still good enough to score points for her school.
In USA Swimming, Therien represents Orinda Aquatics, and is a junior nationals qualifier in the distance freestyle. She holds short course yards best times of 4:53.91 in the 500 free and 17:07.90 in the 1650 free. In long course, her 400 free lifetime best stands at 4:23.62 and her 1500 free best time is 17:27.75. All of her distance freestyle lifetime bests were done in 2014, so Therien is due for improvement.
Therien could also be a strong contributor in the 200 free, with a short course yards lifetime best of 1:49.12. She’s only been a year-round swimmer for about three years, so look for her to untap more of her potential in the coming year, and especially when she begins working under Rice swimming head coach Seth Huston.
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Rice is awesome. You’re going to love it!