INDIANAPOLIS — Clearwater native and two-time Olympic gold-medalist Bobby Finke will once again represent his country in this year's games, and this time, he's teaming up with the youngest swimmer to make the U.S. team since Michael Phelps.
Finke's teammate, 18-year-old Florida freshman Luke Whitlock, finished second to him in the men's 800-meter freestyle Tuesday at the U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials in Indianapolis.
Both swimmers shared an embrace after they finished side-by-side.
During the 2020 Olympic Games, Finke took home two gold medals in the 800-meter freestyle and 1,500-meter freestyle, according to his bio on the U.S. Team's website.
Finke's ties to the Sunshine State don't end at Clearwater. His father, Joe Finke, is a swim coach with St. Petersburg Aquatics, according to his bio. In addition, the University of Florida alum earned more than his fair share of accolades during his time as a Gator, including:
- 11-time All-American
- 2022 NCAA Champion (1650 Free)
- 2022, 2021, 2020 SEC Academic Honor Roll
- 2021 All-SEC First Team
- 2021 NCAA Champion (1,650 Free)
- 2021 NCAA Champion (400 IM)
- 2021 SEC Champion (1,650 Free)
- 2021 All-SEC First-Team
- 2020 All-SEC First Team
- 2020 SEC Champion (1,650 Free)
- 2019 SEC Champion (1,650 free and 400 IM)
- 2019 All-SEC First-Team
- 2019 Co-SEC Freshmen Swimmer of the Year
- 2019 SEC All-Freshman team
On top of all that, as a senior, Finke broke the pool record with a time of 14:22.28 to win the National Championship in the 1,650 free, according to his online bio with the school.
To learn more about this year's U.S. Olympic Swim Team, click here.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
