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Parkersburg’s Phillips competes at Pan Pacs

GOLD COAST, Australia – Former Parkersburg High School swimming standout Tim Phillips shaved three seconds off his personal best in the prelims of the 200 freestyle at Thursday’s Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.

Phillips was seeded 30th out of a field of 32 individuals with a time of 1:56.84, but in his heat clocked a 1:51.80 and turned in the 22nd fastest time.

Phillips is scheduled to compete in a minimum of four events at the Pan Pacs.

On Friday, he is competing in the 100 freestyle, where he is seeded 21st in a field of 52 swimmers with a time of 49.34.

Saturday marks Phillips’ marquee event as he is seeded fourth in the 100 butterfly with a time of 51.49. The only three individuals ranked ahead of the 23-year-old are all Americans – Michael Phelps (51.17), Tom Shields (51.29) and Ryan Lochte (51.48).

Qualifying is tight since only two swimmers from any one country may advance to the finals where the top eight compete.

The Pan Pacs wrap up on Sunday and Phillips is seeded 23rd out of a field of 35 swimmers in the 50 freestyle with a time of 23.17.

Phillips, who also swam for Ohio State University, clinched a berth in the Pac Pacs with a third-place finish in the 100 butterfly at the Phillips 66 Nationals. At that same meet, he also took second place in the 50 butterfly.

Last year, he earned a second-place finish in the 100 butterfly at the 2013 AT&T Winter Nationals.

On two separate occasions, Phillips has tried to qualify for the Summer Games. In 2008, he finished 20th in three events (100 freestyle, 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly) then in 2012 he came within shouting distance after finishing sixth in 100 butterfly.

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