July 2, 2007

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Recent UC Santa Barbara graduate, Pat Cary, will represent the United States at the XV Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this July. The three-time All-American and Mid-Major Swimmer of the Year will swim the 200-meter butterfly at the meet, which will take place July 17-22 at the National Aquatic Center; it will be his first trip with Team USA.

Cary capped his impressive four-year career at UCSB with an eighth place finish at the NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships in the 200 yard butterfly and a new school record in the event with a time of 1:44.15 in 2007. The former team captain is also a Gaucho record holder in the 100-yard fly with a mark of 47.23 in the event.

This past Friday, Cary competed at the 2007 International Invitational Toyota Grand Prix Swim Meet in Santa Clara, Calif. The Trabuco Canyon, Calif. native placed third in the 200-meter butterfly finals with a time of 1:59.98. The event was won by two-time Olympian and the current world record holder in the event, Michael Phelps, who posted a meet-record mark of 1:56.05.

"I am really looking forward to the games, it is very exciting. I swam a best time this weekend in Santa Clara so things are looking good for the meet. It will be a great experience, I get to swim next to several Olympians and I hope to win the 200 fly," commented Cary.

The USA Pan American Games men's swim team roster consists of 25 swimmers including Cary. Also on the roster is three-time Olympian Gary Hall and 2004 Olympians Mark Gangloff and Gabe Woodward.