FORT MYERS, Fla. – After nearly becoming the third member of the FGCU swimming & diving team to qualify for the Rio Olympics, sophomore Fanny Teijonsalo has been selected to represent Finland in the 2016 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) held at the WFCU Arena in Ontario, Canada, from December 6-11.

Teijonsalo (Espoo, Finland/Makelanrinteen, Lukio), who was selected by the Finnish Swimming Federation based on her performance over the past several months, will join 1,000 of the world's best swimmers from more than 176 countries at the bi-annual event that is expected to draw more than 35,000 spectators during the six days of competition.

"I'm really excited to compete against some of the best swimmers in the world," Teijonsalo said of her qualification. "It's always amazing to be able to represent my country and FGCU while traveling the world and doing what I love."

At 20 years old, Teijonsalo has already compiled an impressive resume as she has represented Finland at a number of international meets including the 2015 FINA Long Course World Championships in Kazan, Russia, the 2015 LEN European Short Course Swimming Championships in Netanya, Israel, and the 2016 LEN European Aquatics Championships in London.

At the short course championships in Israel last December, the Espoo native advanced to the semifinals in the 100 IM and ultimately finished 13th with a time of 1:00.31. Only a few seconds separated her and three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Katinka Hosszu, who won the event. Additonally, she was a member of Finland's 200 medley and 200 free relays that finished fifth and seventh, respectively, after touching in 1:47.05 and 1:38.96.

Months later at the European Championships in London, Teijonsalo competed on the 400 free relay team that finished eighth in a time of 3:43.23 and nearly qualified for the Rio Olympics. She also finished 18th overall in the 50 back with a time of 29.17 seconds and registered 798 points, making her one of the top-175 swimmers in continental Europe.

"I'm incredibly proud of and happy for Fanny," FGCU head coach Dave Rollins added. "Getting the honor of representing their country is something every swimmer dreams of. The World Championships will be a great experience and opportunity for her to challenge herself against some of the best swimmers in the world. I have no doubt she will be a great ambassador for her country, family and the Eagles."

In less than two full seasons with the Green and Blue, Teijonsalo already holds FGCU program records in the 100 fly (52.47), 100 IM (56.78) and 200 IM (1:58.29) and also contributed to the all-time mark in the 400 medley relay (3:33.92). The Co-Most Outstanding Female Swimmer and Co-Most Outstanding Female Freshman Performer of the 2016 CCSA Championships, Teijonsalo helped lead FGCU to its seventh conference crown in a span of eight years after winning three individual and four relay events at the championship meet. She went on to represent the Eagles at the 2016 NCAA Championships, where she competed in the 100 free, 100 fly and 200 IM.

FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-date coverage of FGCU women's swimming and diving, follow us on Twitter @FGCU_WSWIM and visit www.FGCUAthletics.com where full recaps and results will be available.
                                                                       
HEAD COACH DAVE ROLLINS
First-year head coach Dave Rollins became the program's second head coach in program history on Sept. 1. Most recently the associate head men's swimming coach at The Ohio State University, Rollins brings 10 years of coaching experience at the club, high school and collegiate levels. A standout collegiate athlete in his own right, Rollins was a nine-time NCAA All-American and national champion as a member of the University of Arizona swimming & diving team from 2002-06. 

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