May 1, 2009
IOWA CITY, IA — Hawkeye sophomore Verity Hicks was recently named to the New Zealand World University Games team. The event, which is comprised of competition in 13 core sports and up to five optional sports determined by the host, will be held July 5-11, 2009, in Belgrade, Serbia. Hicks, a native of Pukekohe, New Zealand, competes in freestyle events for the University of Iowa swimming team.
The World University Games, which are also known as the Summer Universiade, are held every two years under the auspices of the International University Sports Federation. The event is second in size only to the Olympics, as between 9,000 competitors and officials from 165 nations are expected to attend.
Hicks led the Hawkeyes in the 200 free (1:49.48) and 500 free (4:53.94) last season, and swam second leg on the team-leading 800 free relay (7:21.08) at Big Ten Championships. Those times rank third, sixth and second, respectively, on Iowa’s all-time best performers list. She also earned academic all-Big Ten honors in 2009. The Hawkeye sophomore is no stranger to international competition. In 2008, she placed fifth in 400 and 800 free, eighth in 200 free and 12th in 100 free at New Zealand Olympic’s Trials, and placed fifth in 800 free, 12th in 400 free, 24th in 200 free and 26th in 100 free at Oceania Championships.