When Matt Grevers returns home from London, his bags and résumé will be a little heavier.

The Old Pueblo resident and Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatic swimmer set a new Olympic record on Monday with a 52.16 second time in the 100m backstroke. The previous mark held by American Aaron Peirsol had stood since the 2008 Olympics.

It’s the fifth Olympic medal in Grever’s career, joining in his trophy case two golds and a silver from relay races. Grevers claimed a silver medal in the same event in the 2008 Beijing games.

Grevers’ gold medal (for the time being) gives Team USA 17 medals, tied for most with China.

All-American Wildcat Nick Thoman also earned a silver medal on Monday in London. Thoman touched the wall split seconds behind Grevers with a time of 52.92. It’s the first individual medal ever for Thoman, who entered the race as the fifth seed,  on the international stage.

According to Arizona Athletics, Thoman’s medal means the University of Arizona keeps its streak of medaling in the summer Olympics going. A Wildcat has stood atop the podium in every Olympics since 1968.

Stay tuned, it’s highly likely the Wildcats aren’t done accumulating medals.

SWIMMERS WITH TUCSON TIES IN THE OLYMPICS

Clark Burckle, seen here competing in the U.S. Olympic trials, is one of 10 Wildcats vying for gold in the pools at the London Games.

Alyssa Anderson – 800 freestyle relay (UA)

Jean Basson – 800 freestyle relay (South Africa/UA)

Clark Burckle – 200 breaststroke (UA)

Simon Burnett – 400 freestyle relay (Great Britain/UA)

Matt Grevers – 100 backstroke, 400 freestyle relay (TFDA)

Caitlin Leverenz – 200 individual medley, 400 individual medley (Sahuaro High School)

Nicolas Oliveira – 100 freestyle, 400 freestyle relay (Brazil/UA)

Roland Schoeman – 50 freestyle (South Africa/UA)

Nimrod Shapira - 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 100 butterfly (Israel/UA)

Albert Subirats – 100 butterfly (Venezuela/UA)

Nick Thoman – 100 backstroke (UA)

Darian Townsend – 200 individual medley (South Africa/UA)

This entry was posted on Monday, July 30th, 2012 at 2:36 pm and is filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.