Yup, we figured it out days ago. So we were first to post about this! I wonder if we can keep this string going…

COLLEGIATE STAR AND TOP U.S. SPRINTER KARA LYNN JOYCE SIGNS WITH SPEEDO

21-year-old Joyce and SPEEDO® Ink Six-Year Contract

SPEEDO®, the top-selling swimwear brand in the world, today announced a six-year contract with 21-year-old collegiate swim star Kara Lynn Joyce. One of the top female sprinters in the world, Joyce represented the United States at the 12th FINA World Championships, March 25 – April 1, 2007. The agreement with Speedo, which runs through 2012, is designed to support Joyce’s career goals both in and out of the pool.

The University of Georgia senior is coming off a history-making performance at the 2007 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships earlier this month where she won both the 50 and 100 yard freestyle events for the fourth straight year and was named the outstanding swimmer of the NCAA Championships for the second consecutive year. With 18 national titles, Joyce finished her collegiate career as the second-most decorated swimmer in NCAA history and only the second swimmer to win four consecutive titles in two events. Her 50 yard free American Record set at the 2006 Women’s NCAA Championships still stands.

Joyce is represented by Stanton Shade, the international sports marketing company based in New York that represents a stable of female Olympic athletes including Team Speedo members Sheila Taormina and Sarah Haskins.

“I am thrilled to be joining Speedo at the launch of my professional swimming career,” said Joyce. “They’ve developed a plan for me that recognizes my individual strengths and goals, and are committed to helping me pursue my dreams both in and outside of the pool.”

“Kara’s impressive college swimming career has been making headlines for years,” said Sheree Waterson, President of SPEEDO® North America. “Her dedication and pure speed give her the potential to be a serious medal contender at the upcoming Beijing Olympics and we are very excited to welcome her to Team Speedo.”

On the international stage, Joyce won gold in the 50m free and helped set a new American record in the gold-medal-winning 400 free relay at the 2006 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Victoria, British Columbia. She was a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team and earned two silver medals for her relay performances in Athens. She also finished fifth in both the 50 and 100m freestyles at the ‘04 Summer Games.

An Ann Arbor, MI native, Joyce will remain in Athens, GA and continue to train under her University of Georgia Bulldogs coach Jack Bauerle.

Joyce will also be part of an athlete advisory group to the SPEEDO® Aqualab, the research and development center designed to produce the world’s most innovative swimwear and accessories. In 2007, it introduced the world’s fastest lightweight swimsuit, the FASTSKIN FS-PRO. Joyce chose to wear the FS-PRO in the finals of all her events at last month’s NCAA Championships.

Team Speedo members include Michael Phelps (USA), Natalie Coughlin (USA), Ian Crocker (USA), Katie Hoff (USA), Kate Ziegler (USA), Ryan Lochte (USA), Klete Keller (USA), Tae Hwan Park (South Korea), Libby Lenton (AUS), Leisel Jones (AUS) and Grant Hackett (AUS).

SPEEDO® is a registered trademark of and used under license from Speedo International Ltd.

Warnaco Swimwear, Inc., a division of The Warnaco Group Inc. (NASDAQ: WRNC), is the authorized licensee of the SPEEDO® trademark in North American and the Caribbean.

Thanks To Speedo for sending this over!

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