UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (Aug. 19, 2004) - Former Penn State swimmer Eugene Botes finished 30th in the 100-meter butterfly, held Thursday at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Botes, who is swimming for South Africa at the summer games, swam the preliminary heat in 54.15 seconds. Team U.S.A. member Ian Crocker won the heat with a time of 52.03.

Botes was one of 59 swimmers to qualify for the 100 butterfly. He earned his Olympic berth when he competed in the World Championships and the World University Games following his senior season as a Nittany Lion in 2003, when he served as team captain.

He became Penn State's first-ever national champion when he won the 100 butterfly at the 2003 U.S. Senior Nationals with a time of 53.20.

It is possible that Botes could still swim on South Africa's 4x100 medley relay team, which will swim in Friday's second heat.

For more information on Penn State men's and women's swimming and diving, please visit our official athletics website at www.GoPSUsports.com.