Senior swimmer Tyler Harp (San Bernardino, CA) qualified for the US Olympic Trials in the 100 Free on Saturday, uncorking a career best of 51.18 during a time trial at the Fran Crippen Swim Meet of Champions in Mission Viejo. Amidst several Olympians, Harp completed the race in meters for the first time, compared to yards for NCAA competition.

After missing the cut during Friday's prelims by a few tenths of a second, he won his heat in the final but came up short at 51.51, just shy of the 51.49 standard.

On Saturday, Harp returned to the pool for the 200 Free, swimming a solid race but missing the Olympic mark again. He swam with one other 100 freestyler in a time trial after the conclusion of prelims, dropping another three tenths of a second at 51.18, going well under the required time.

"You can never put it past Tyler to swim fast when it is needed. There are very few people who can miss a time while racing some of the fastest swimmers in the nation, and then come back the next day, swim by themselves, and drop a significant amount of time," commented his brother, Trevor, who coaches the University of Redlands swimming & diving teams.

Harp strives to qualify in the 50 Free as well when he competes in the Speedo Grand Challenge in Irvine at the end of May.

In addition, Harp and his coach head to the 2012 Olympic Team Trials in Omaha, Nebraska, at the end of June.

"He never ceases to amaze me. We're both looking forward to Omaha," Coach Harp added.