Lori Thomas

Position:
Freestyle
Height:
5-7
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Sanford, Fla.

Career Best Times: 23.09 in the 50-yard freestyle; 50.92 in the 100-yard freestyle; 55.82 in the 100-yard butterfly.

General: Returning letter winner for Carolina...was a transfer from the University of Hawaii who was a strong addition to the Tar Heel team in the sprint freestyle events...also adds depth to an already strong Tar Heel corps which swims the 100-yard butterfly...swam this past summer in the U.S. Nationals...qualified for 2000 Olympic Trials where she finished 26th in the 50-meter free.

2001-02: Tapped for 2002 ACC Academic Honor Roll...swam in 2002 ACC Championships as an exhibition swimmer.

2000-2001: Earned first-team All-America honors while competing for the University of Hawaii...swam for the Rainbows’ 200-yard freestyle relay team which finished seventh at the NCAA meet...she swam the leadoff leg for that relay in 23.46 (23.30 prelim)...she also swam the butterfly leg (25.22) on the 200-yard medley relay which earned honorable mention All-America honors while finishing 14th...she also swam on the 400-yard freestyle relay which was 18th and the 400-yard medley relay which was 19th...individually she swam in the 50-yard freestyle, finishing 40th with a time of 23.49.

Prep: Graduated from Seminole High School on May 26, 1999...swam for four years in high school, specializing in the 50 free, 100 free and 100 fly...name All-County as freshman and sophomore and then was Seminole County Swimmer of the Year as junior and senior...named a high school All-America as a junior and senior in the 50 and 100 frees...was captain of high school team those two years as well...high school state champion as senior in 50 free...member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and Homecoming Court.

Personal: Given name is Lora Jean Thomas...born December 10, 1980 in Winter Park, Fla....daughter of Jack and Diana Thomas...hobbies include water and snow skiing, hiking and any outdoor activity...athletes she most admires are Laird Hamilton, Morgan Hoesterey, Liz Parkinson and Janet Evans...biggest sports thrill was winning the state championship in high school in the 50 free because she worked so hard for it and she really wanted to win for her team and her coach...has one sister...business major...undecided on career plans.