July 10, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Terp graduate Natalie Ferdinand will be representing her native country of Barbados in the Pan American Games held in Rio de Janeiro. The competition will begin on July 16 through July 22 at the National Aquatic Center in Barra da Tijuca.

The Pan American games are a continental version of the Olympic Games conducted every four years, always one year before the Olympic Games.

Ferdinand recently finished her eligibility for the games and joins her home nation, where she returns as a three time named Most Outstanding Female Swimmer in her hometown of St. Thomas.

As a senior at Maryland, Ferdinand finished 24th overall in the 50 free (24.19) after setting a career-best time of 23.83 in the prelim, and placed 18th overall in the 100 back (57.95) after swimming a season-best time of 57.89 in the prelim. She also set a career record at ACCs in the 100 free (52.98) and led the 200 medley relay team to a sixth-place finish with a season-best time (1:43.67).