Ridge grad wins bronze in international event

Scott Goodrich, a 2004 Mountain Ridge High School graduate, brought back a shiny souvenir from his trip to Thailand this summer.

The senior to be at Auburn University, won a bronze medal in the 50-meter freestyle Aug. 14 at the World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Tiger, who has helped his college swim team to three straight national championships, turned in a time of 22.39 seconds in the event bringing together some of the top college athletes in the world.

Goodrich won his preliminary heat earlier in the day with a time of 22.59, the third best time turned in during the prelims. In the finals his 22.39 effort had him just .27 of a seconds off the winning effort of Nicholas Araujo of Brazil (22.12) and .06 of a second behind Jonathon Newton of Australia, who took second.

The former Mountain Lion earned a spot to the World University Games at the U.S. Nationals in 2006.

In the fall, Goodrich, a member of Auburn’s defending NCAA championship 200 medley and 200-freestyle relay teams, will attempt to help his school to its sixth straight national championship.

In July of 2008, Goodrich will head to Omaha, Neb., for the U.S. Olympic trial with the goal of earning one of the two spots in the 50-meter freestyle for the U.S. Olympics.