April 5, 2002
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Western Kentucky University swimming and diving standout Gord Veldman (Jr., Kingston, Ontario) has qualified to compete in the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, July 30-Aug. 3. With an eighth-place finish or better, he will qualify to compete in the Pan Pacific Games in Yokohama, Japan, Aug. 25-30.
"He's done a great job to make it to this event," WKU head swimming and diving coach Bill Powell said. "We're really proud of him."
Veldman recently represented WKU at the NCAA Swimming Championships in Athens, Ga., March 28-30. He competed in the 100 and 200-yard backstroke events, finishing 19th (out of 32) in the 100 with a time of 48.13. Prior to the NCAA's, he swam at the Canadian Nationals in Winnepeg, Manitoba, March 20-23, where he finished runner-up in the 50-yard backstroke and placed third in the 100-yard backstroke.
Veldman is the Hilltopper school record-holder in both the 100 and 200-yard backstroke events, posting times of 47.96 and 1:46.18 respectively. He is the son of Gerrit and Diane Veldman and is a product of Bayridge High School in Kingston, Ontario.
