MHS Graduate Advances In Olympic Trials in Swimming

A Midland High graduate and University of Florida student has advanced in the U.S. Olympic Trials at Chi Health Center Omaha.

According to the Midland Reporter-Telegram, Natalie Hinds advanced to the final of the women's 100 freestyle after the semi-finals on Thursday, June 17, 2021.

She tied for first place with teammate Olivia Smoliga in their semi-final and posted a time of 53.55.

Hinds will compete tonight (June 18, 2021) in the final and she can make the Olympic team by finishing in the top 6.

The Olympics take four swimmers and two alternates to compete in Tokyo.

Another Midland High graduate, Braden Vines, placed 23rd in the men's 200 IM preliminaries. Vines is a junior at the University of Texas and did not advance since the semi-final round only takes the top 16.

Hinds will represent Midland if she makes it to the Olympics just like another Olympic gold medalist in swimming, Doug Russell did back in the 1968 Olympics.

Other famous athletes from other sports that have been from Midland include such names as Cedric Benson, Mookie Blaylock, Judy Rankin, Mike Stanton, Mike Timlin, Randy Velarde, Spud Webb, and Eric Winston.

Hinds, if she makes it to the Olympics, will be the only the second swimmer from Midland to compete in the Olympics.

This means the only competitors from Midland to make it to the Olympics will be swimmers if Hinds can make the top six in the finals.

The other swimmer has an aquatic center in Midland named after him, the Doug Russell Aquatic Center.