Junior Sabine Rasch is not only representing TCU at the NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships in Auburn, Ala. but also competing for the chance to represent Germany in the 2012 London Olympics, head coach Richard Sybesma said.

Rasch would compete in the German National Championships in May where the top five in the 100-freestyle will earn spots on the Olympic team, Sybesma said. 

The German native is the first TCU woman to qualify for the NCAA Championships since 1996. She will compete in the 50-free and 100-free, two events for which she holds the program records.

Rasch said she first heard about the university from senior Freidrich Grott who was her teammate in Germany. She said she chose to swim for the Horned Frogs because the coaches seemed caring.

Rasch had improved remarkably in the TCU swimming & diving program, Sybesma said. She had done a great job individually, as well as being a leader in the water.

She is a No. 1 record holder for the TCU program in four relay races and three individual races.

Sybesma said Rasch has become more involved with relays upon coming to the university because she realized the team aspect of the sport.

“My teammates show me every day through their hard work how dedicated they are to make our team better,” Rasch said. “Seeing all the effort they put in day after day and cheering for one another at practices and meets has been very motivating and inspiring.”

Assistant coach Keegan Ingelido said she had seen Rasch develop in and out of the pool.

“She has the desire and instinct to be a winner,” she said. “Everybody loves to win, but she knows how to win.” 

Rasch said her goal is to make the top 16 so she can compete in the finals.