July 1, 2012

OMAHA, Neb. - Former California stars Jessica Hardy and Madison Kennedy advanced to the 50-meter freestyle final by posting the best and fourth-fastest times, respectively, in the Sunday night semifinals at the U.S. Olympic Trials at the CenturyLink Center.

Hardy - who won two NCAA titles in the 100-yard breaststroke at Cal - has achieved her most success in the freestyle at trials, having won the 100-free final yesterday and then doing well in the sprint tonight. The world record holder in the 100-meter breaststroke, she did not qualify for the U.S. squad in the 100 breast at trials.

The Long Beach, Calif., product swam a time of 24.56 to win the 50, while Kennedy clocked a time of 24.96 to take fourth. Alum Liv Jensen was disqualified in the 50-free semis.

In the 200-meter backstroke final, incoming freshman Elizabeth Pelton finished third in a time of 2:08.06, missing her last chance to make the Olympic team.

USA Swimming confirmed that Cal alum and 11-time Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin earned a berth to London in the 400-free relay with her sixth-place finish in the 100-free final on Saturday night.

The meet ends Monday night with finals in the women's 50 free and the men's 1500 free.