University of Minnesota swimmer and Big Ten Freshman of the Year Yuen Kobayashi participated in the Japanese National Championships, April 20-23 in Tokyo, Japan. Kobayashi competed in three events and placed as high as seventh overall. The Osaka, Japan native earned a personal-best time of 8:52.03 in 800-meter freestyle event, positioning herself with the nation's seventh-best time. She also placed 10th in the 400- meter free in a time of 4:18.72, setting a University of Minnesota school record. Kobayashi also competed in the 200-meter free, placing 16th overall.

Kobayashi made the most of her freshman season with the Golden Gophers last year. She held the top time in four individual events and one relay. As a rookie, Kobayashi was the Big Ten Champion in the 500 and 1650-yard freestyle as well as the 800-yard free relay. She also set three individual school records and helped the 800 free relay to a record- setting time of 7:09.15. At the NCAAs, Kobayashi also earned NCAA All-America honorable mentions in the 200 free, 500 free, 1650 free and 800 free relay.