Former UT Swimmer Wins Gold At European Championships
ISTANBUL, Turkey - Former University of Tampa swimmer Alex Hetland captured a gold medal at the 2009 European Short Course Swimming Championships. Hetland, who swam for UT in 2008-09, represented his home country of Norway.
Hetland finished the race with a time of 26.19, coming in ahead of Italy's Alessandro Terrin (26.24) and Serbia's Caba Siladji (26.31).
While capturing school records in the 100 Breast, 100 Fly and 200 IM, Hetland was also part of the 200 and 400 Medley Relay teams that set a new UT record. He also claimed the NCAA individual national championship in 2009 in the 200 IM and 100 Breast.
"I just can't believe it," says Hetland. "The 100 meter breaststroke was a warm-up for me because I focused on the 50 meters. But to win, just incredible."