Margaret Hoelzer punched her ticket to the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, as the Auburn standout placed first in the 200-meter backstroke at the 2004 USA Olympic Team Trials Swimming Tuesday night.

Hoelzer clocked a 2:11.88, the sixth fastest time in the world this year, to easily finish ahead of runner-up Kristen Caverly, who registered a 2:12.70. With the win, Hoelzer becomes Auburn’s first female Olympian from the United States this year and joins Auburn women’s swimming teammates Eileen Coparropa, Kirsty Coventry and Jana Kolukanova as 2004 Auburn Olympians.