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FGCU Alumni Competing in 2016 Olympics

Amy Tardif
Lani Cabrera [left] and Brooke Youngquist Sweat

Two alumni of Florida Gulf Coast University head to Rio de Janeiro this week to compete in the summer Olympics.

Credit Nick Sweat

Brooke Youngquist Sweat represents the USA in beach volleyball. The Canterbury school graduate was the first ever beach volleyball recruit in FGCU’s program history. She’s also the school’s all-time kills leader with 1167. A kill is a successful, legal, point-scoring play.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMUxM-__NnM

The 30-year-old finished her qualification with 4470 points, the number 15 pairing in the world. She and her beach volleyball partner Lauren Fendrick led all US pairs through last March in points. And they begin in pool A on August 7th against Poland. They’re one of two American teams competing in beach volleyball.

Credit Amy Tardif

FGCU alum swimmer Lani Cabrera of Barbados competes in the 400 meter freestyle race in Rio.  The Barbados Olympic Association selected her to represent her country as its highest ranked swimmer in the FINA World Rankings. She was clocked with the fastest times among Barbadian female swimmers in three events – the 200 free, 400 free and 800 free.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK1gkCfsQFI

Cabrera as well as Evita Letter of Suriname will both represent the university in swimming in Rio. Letter competes in the 100 meter breast stroke. Cabrera’s 400 freestyle race is on August 7 at noon.