The Big Ten will represent Team USA in the men’s 1500m freestyle final

Connor Jaeger (left) and Jordan Wilimovsky at the U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials.

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Posted 2 years ago

The United States’ medal hopes in the men’s 1500m freestyle final are dependent on two Big Ten swimmers.

Former Michigan swimmer Connor Jaeger and current Northwestern swimmer Jordan Wilimovsky posted the second- and third-best times in heats, behind only Italy’s Gregorio Paltrinieri.

.@conjaeg 2nd (14:45.74) & @j_wilimovsky 3rd (14:48.23) advance to the finals of the 1500m FR! #SwimUnited pic.twitter.com/7DWr0hgOpD

— USA Swimming (@USASwimming) August 12, 2016

For reference, Paltrinieri finished in 14:44.51. The Big Ten swimmers will try to reach the podium at tomorrow night’s final on NBC.

IT'S OFFICIAL! @J_WILIMOVSKY WILL SWIM IN THE 1500M FINALS. LANE 3 ??

TOMORROW | 8 pm CT | NBC#B1GCats #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/NXhTXA5hAU

— #B1GCats (@NU_Sports) August 12, 2016