OMAHA, Neb. – Melanie Rowland became the first Towson University woman to compete in the United States Olympic swimming trials Thursday, finishing 65^th in the 200-meter butterfly with a time of 2:16.62.

Rowland joined men's swimmer Aaron Krause as the only Tigers to ever qualify for the well-known trials. Krause accomplished the feat in 2004.

“I am very proud of Melanie,” Towson Coach Pat Mead, who accompanied Rowland to Omaha, said. “She swam her second fastest time ever and had a great race.  In 2016, we expect to have many more Tigers at Trials. Melanie can take pride in knowing she led the way for our women being the first female to represent Towson University at such a prestigious athletic event.” 

Rowland, who will be entering her junior season in the fall for Towson, was the runner-up in the 200-yard butterfly to Tiger teammate Cari Czarnecki at the 2012 Colonial Athletic Association Championships with a time of 1:59.97. She qualified for the Olympic trials by virtue of an outstanding time of 2:15.76 at the Speedo Sizzler Meet in early June. Her time was over a half-second faster than the required 2:16.49 time in the event.

Stay tuned for a blog from Rowland detailing her experiences at the Trials beginning on Friday.