Northwestern University Athletics
Wilimovsky Places Fifth in 10K, Makes U.S. Swimming History
8/16/2016 9:44:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving
RIO DE JANEIRO — Jordan Wilimovsky closed out his 2016 Olympic Games with a fifth-place finish in the 10K open water competition with a time of 1:53:03.2, just 3.4 seconds off the leader.
The 10-kilometer marathon race, which featured four laps in the open water on the shores of Fort Copacabana, was won by the Netherlands' Ferry Weertman with a time of 1:52:59.8, while Greece's Spiros Gianniotis (1:52:59.8) and France's Marc-Antoiine Oliver (1:53:02.0) took home silver and bronze, respectively. Weertman edged Gianniotis by touching the wall first.
Wilimovsky swam a tactical race, climbing from 21st to 18th at the halfway point and then made a move to fourth place heading into the final 2.5-kilometers.
The Malibu, California, native was in a battle for the lead down the stretch, but ultimately was caught into a six-man finish at the end that saw him place fifth.
The first-time Olympian made history at the Rio Games by becoming the first American swimmer to compete in both pool and open water events.
The Northwestern rising-senior placed fourth in the finals of the 1,500-meter freestyle on Saturday, Aug. 13, with a personal-best time of 14:45.03. Wilimovsky's time ranks him second on the United States' all-time list for the event.
The 10-kilometer marathon race, which featured four laps in the open water on the shores of Fort Copacabana, was won by the Netherlands' Ferry Weertman with a time of 1:52:59.8, while Greece's Spiros Gianniotis (1:52:59.8) and France's Marc-Antoiine Oliver (1:53:02.0) took home silver and bronze, respectively. Weertman edged Gianniotis by touching the wall first.
Wilimovsky swam a tactical race, climbing from 21st to 18th at the halfway point and then made a move to fourth place heading into the final 2.5-kilometers.
The Malibu, California, native was in a battle for the lead down the stretch, but ultimately was caught into a six-man finish at the end that saw him place fifth.
The first-time Olympian made history at the Rio Games by becoming the first American swimmer to compete in both pool and open water events.
The Northwestern rising-senior placed fourth in the finals of the 1,500-meter freestyle on Saturday, Aug. 13, with a personal-best time of 14:45.03. Wilimovsky's time ranks him second on the United States' all-time list for the event.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
B1G Tri Meet vs Purdue & Minnesota - Saturday
Friday, January 30
B1G Tri Meet vs Purdue & Minnesota - Friday
Friday, January 30
Swimming vs. Wisconsin - Scoring
Saturday, January 17
Diving vs. Wisconsin
Saturday, January 17
