PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State swimmers junior-to-be Taylor McCoy and sophomore-to-be Lauren Burckel each recorded qualifying times for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials this summer.

"The 2019 calendar year has been very good to the COUGS! In the spring we had our first NCAA qualifier in nine years, we had our first individual CSCAA National Invitational Champion, our team earned CSCAA Academic Team Honors and now this summer Taylor and Lauren qualify for the 2020 US Olympic trials," head coach Matt Leach said. "The even better news is that U.S. Nationals start soon so hopefully we can add to our group of 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trial qualifiers!" 

McCoy recorded a qualifying time in the 200 back at the TYR Pro Swim Series in California held in June, finishing third in the 200 back with a 2:14.46 while competing in a long-course meter pool. Last season, the Pullman, Wash. native earned CSCAA Scholar All-America honorable mention and Pac-12 All-Academic first-team honors while leading the team with 14 wins. McCoy also won the program's first Pac-12 Swimming of the Week Award after recording three wins against No. 14 Arizona and another against No. 25 Arizona State. At the CSCAA National Invitational Championships, McCoy finished fourth in the 200 back.

Burckel posted a pair of Olympic trial times while competing at the Speed Champions Series in Mount Hood in mid-July. Burckel won the 200 breast with a 2:30.80 and finished second in the 100 breast with a 1:09.95 while competing in long-course meter pool. Last season as a freshman, Burckel earned CSCAA Scholar All-America honorable mention and placed fourth in the 200 breast at the CSCAA National Invitational Championships. The Albuquerque, N.M. native also recorded the third-fastest time in WSU history in the 200 breast at the Pac-12 Conference Championships.

"It has been a great summer and we look forward to adding more qualifiers to our U.S. Olympic Team Trial roster," Leach added. "This offseason has provided us with a springboard into a great 2019-20 season which is quickly approaching.  Stay tuned for more fast swimming, Go Cougs!"

The 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trails are a scheduled for next summer, June 21-28 in Omaha, Neb.