Jacoby wins semifinal heat, will go for Olympic gold Monday
Lydia Jacoby
Seward swimmer Lydia Jacoby won her semifinal heat to advance to the finals of the 100-meter breaststroke at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
The 17-year-old comes into the finals with the second-best qualifying time of 1:05.52, just better than world-record holder Lilly King in 1:05.55.
Yes, Jacoby is a legit medal contender on the biggest stage in sports.
“It’s important just to remember at the end of the day it is just another meet,” she told reporters. “You just have to remember to keep your head on your shoulders and not get too carried away with the idea that you’re at the Olympics.”
Jacoby is the first Alaska swimmer to compete in the Olympics and now she’s put herself in position to become the seventh Alaskan to earn an Olympic medal at the Summer Games.
She will be the second-youngest swimmer in the finals behind a 16-year-old from Russia.