Liberty High School swimmer Gwen Asbury has qualified for the CIF State Championships in Clovis, California this weekend.
Asbury placed fourth in the 500 freestyle at the CIF Southern Section Division 3 finals with a time of 5:04.47. Her time was fast enough to earn her a selection by the State committee to compete in the State Championships at Clovis Olympic Swim Complex. Prelims are on May 15. The top 18 will qualify for the finals on May 16.
Asbury is also first alternate in the 200 freestyle.
“We are incredibly proud and excited for Gwen,” said her mother and the team’s coach, Felicia Asbury. “She has worked extremely hard throughout high school to qualify for this meet and she is the very first swimmer to qualify for State at Liberty. We are so grateful for this opportunity and what a great way to end her senior season. Gwen continues to raise the bar for Liberty swimmers and provide proof that consistent hard work and dedication will help you achieve your goals.
“We have been dreaming of taking this road trip together for four years, and now it’s come to fruition. The path was not linear and there were a lot of bumps in the road, but we are finally getting to the destination.
“In 2021, my son graduated from Elsinore High School and qualified for State in the 100 backstroke, but since it was a COVID year, the State Championships were cancelled. So in a sense, Gwen wanted it for herself, but also for her brother. who didn’t get the opportunity to attend. No matter what the outcome is at State, we are just so excited for this opportunity and she has a lane!”
