The University of Louisville swimming and diving team sent 19 athletes to the U.S. Olympic Trials this year. The Cardinals will compete for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team from June 25 to July 2, at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Neb.

USA Swimming is hosting the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials this week, and the results will provide up to 26 men and 26 women the highest athletic honor - representing the U.S. at the 2012 Olympic Games. Each of the top two swimmers in every event, plus four more in the 100m and 200m, will punch their tickets to London. (NBC Sports and NBC)

Louisville had an amazing 19 athletes qualify for the trials. Qualifying for the Cardinal women is Krissie Brandenburg (100-back), Abigail Chin (400-IM, 200-IM), Aileen Cole (50-free), Gisselle Kohoyda (100- and 200-breast),Tanja Kylliainen (200-IM, 400-IM, 200-fly), Emily Conway (100-fly), Kelsi Worrell (100-fly).

The men with qualifying times are Kevin Bandy (200-fly), Addison Bray (200-IM), Alex Burtch (200-IM), Kameron Chastain (100- and 200-breast), Kenneth Crapse (100- and 200-breast), Michael Haefner (200-breast), Samuel Hoekstra (50-free, 100-free), Riley Martin (200-free, 400-free, 1500-free, 200-fly), Evan Noble (200-IM, 400-IM), Michael Pryor (200-IM), Matt Schlytter (50-free), Aaron Young (100-back), Nolan Tesone (400-IM), Brett McKenzie, Bryan Draganosky (1500-free).

Kylliainen has dual citizenship and chose the Finnish trials and Evan Noble and Samuel Hoekstra are not competing due to injury.

Last week UofL swimmers Carlos Almeida and Pedro Oliveira were officially notified by Portugal's Swimming and Diving Federation that they were named to the 2012 London Olympic Games roster for their native country. Almeida and Oliveira join Brazil's Joao De Lucca, bringing the total of UofL swimmers heading to London.

"To be a part of one athlete's successful journey to compete at the Olympic Games is a career achievement. We are proud to have two more athletes confirmed for London," UofL coach Arthur Albiero said. "I am honored UofL Swimming will be represented in the Olympics again, and I am thrilled for Carlos and Pedro for being invited to compete at the highest level in our sport. In the midst of all the excitement, we look at this as "STAGE ONE completed"."

Albiero said he wants to see Almeida, Oliveiro and De Lucca get to swim more than once.

"Now we prepare for STAGE TWO...the new challenge to compete for second swims which would mean advancing to the semifinals and the top-16)," Albiero said. "From day one, competing at the Olympics has been our goal. The Olympic Games will add to what is already a historical season for our program in 2011-2012."

Almeida was the NCAA national champion in the 200-breast this year and currently holds four national records for Portugal. He was NCAA runner up in the 100-breast and in all is a seven time All-American for the Cardinals. At the AT&T Winter National Championships, he posted a time of 1:01.44 in the 100-breast which bested the qualifying cut of 1:01.57. At the BIG EAST Championships, Carlos was one of the three Cardinals who tied for scoring the most points during the meet. He placed second in the 200-IM and was the BIG EAST Champion in the 400-IM and 200-breast. He was also a member of the 400-Medley Relay that placed first and set a new BIG EAST record of 3:08.84. He was a four-time All-BIG EAST performer

Oliveira holds four national records for Portugal and had a strong showing at this year's NCAA Championship as well, earniong All American honors five times in hear career as a Cardinal. He was a team co-captain and played an integral role as a senior for the Cards. At the BIG EAST Championships, he finished fourth in the 500-free in a personal best time of 4:24.77. On the final day of competition, Oliveira doubled the 200-back and 200-fly during which he was the BIG EAST Champion in the 200-back, swimming a new school record time of 1:42.73 in the prelims. He finished sixth in the 200-fly and went 1:46.88 in the prelims. He qualified for NCAA-B cuts in all three of his individual events. Pedro was also a member of the champion and new BIG EAST and school record 400-medley relay. He swam the fly leg in a split of 48.38. He was a two-time All-BIG EAST performer. During the season, Pedro had a great outing during his senior day against Kentucky, and for his efforts he was named the Men's BIG EAST Swimmer of the Week. He won both the 200-fly and 200-back, with times of 1:47.49 and 1:45.79 respectively.

De Lucca broke out last season with Louisville at the collegiate level, where he placed 3rd in the 200 free and 7th in the 100-free at the NCAAs. He also was a six-time BIG EAST champion in 2012. His big long course meet came at the Maria Lenk Trophy in Brazil, where he posted a 49.27 in the 100- free to earn this spot on the team.

UofL Olympians include: Katerina Klepkou (Greece 1996), Andrei Radzionau (Belarus 2008), Adam Madarassy (Hungary 2008), Vali Preda (Romania 2008), Carlos Almeida (Portugal 2008, 2012), Pedro Oliveira (Portugal 2008, 2012) Joao De Lucca (Brazil 2012).