Repman Earns Two Titles at Serbian Nationals

NOVI SAD, Serbia – Freshman Rebeka Repman delivered a sparkling performance at the Serbian Short Course National Championships this weekend, capturing titles in two of her signature events.

Repman won the 50-meter freestyle on Saturday in a time of 26.16 seconds, and followed it up Sunday by winning the 100-meter freestyle in 57.16. The two performances, which would translate to her top times for both events this fall, were the first “senior” national championships of her career.

“This is a great step for Rebeka and for our program,” head swimming coach Andy Kershaw said. “This is a difficult time for a collegiate swimmer to swim in a championship meet, and Rebeka had a lot of hurdles to overcome.”

Repman has been a key contributor for Miami through her first season with the Hurricanes, delivering impressive times at the All-Florida Invite, Georgia Tech Invitational and the SMU Classic.

She continued that strong stretch in Novi Sad despite a number of obstacles.

“Coming through a difficult week of training, and then her first set of finals, followed by a long travel back to Serbia and limited pool time due to the holidays, It only adds to the accomplishment,” Kershaw said.

The performance will ensure Repman’s spot on the Serbian national team for 2015, and puts her in good position to represent her country at the 2015 European Short Course Championships next December.

“It says volumes about the training she has put in, her determination and her talent,” Kershaw said. “I am very proud that the Serbian national champion is a Hurricane!”

Repman and the Hurricanes will open their spring schedule with a home tri-meet on Saturday, January 10, as Rutgers & Tulane will arrive at the Whitten University Center Pool. Action is slated to begin at 11 a.m., and admission is free.