Gena Jorgenson has already had a decorated swimming career that features a resume full of numerous records and accomplishments. However, the Aberdeen native will get the opportunity of a lifetime next month when she competes for the United States during the World University Games in Berlin, Germany.

“This is an international meet,” Jorgenson said. “I will be swimming for Team USA, so that’s something very special.”

Needless to say, she is looking forward to the competition which will take place July 17-23.

“I’m super happy and super excited,” she said.

Jorgenson, a two-time All-American at the University of Nebraska with one season remaining, was awarded that chance after her recent performance at the USA Swimming National Championships in Indiana.

There, Jorgenson broke four Nebraska school records: finishing fifth in the 1,500 freestyle (16:19.28), sixth in the 800 freestyle (8:33.79), seventh in the 400 Freestyle (4:11.96), and 21st in the 200 backstroke (2:12.79).

The former member of the Aberdeen Swim Club has competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials in the past and said the national championships included many of the same swimmers.

“Almost all of my times going into this meet were from trials last year,” Jorgenson said. “They were still good and held up well with where I am now.”

The top two swimmers in each race were selected for the USA World Team which will be competing in an entirely different meet.

“The next two fastest who were enrolled in a university and taking classes and such, and between a certain age group were looked at to be invited to this World University Games,” Jorgenson explained.

Jorgenson will be competing in the 1,500 freestyle in Berlin because of how things shook out in Indiana.

“I was fifth in the mile, but the top three in the mile were already going to Worlds,” Jorgenson said, “so they took the next two fastest.”

While the 1,500 is an extremely difficult race, it is also Jorgenson’s top event.

“It’s the longest event and I also don’t think a lot of people swim it,” she said, “and I train for the longest event. It just happens to be my best event.”

While it’s her best, that does not mean is easy. Far from it. The distance alone provides the biggest challenge.

“Just the fact that you are swimming for 16 minutes straight,” Jorgenson said. “And you’re trying to keep the same speed, and even speed up towards the end when you’re exhausted.”

The race is demanding physically, but it also requires mental toughness, especially when swimmers hit the wall.

“I know at this past meet for me about halfway was where I was like, oh no, I still have half more to go, I’m only halfway,” Jorgenson said. “You just kind of have to push through.”

Jorgenson did more than just push through, she set a career-best time by nearly 10 seconds in the process.

“I was definitely shocked when I looked at the scoreboard after my race, because I definitely didn’t think I was going that fast,” she said. “I was shocked. Couldn’t really believe it.”

She said all the hard work and preparation has paid off.

“It definitely shows that the training’s been working,” Jorgenson said, “especially with all the long hours and the sets my coaches have been giving me, and all of that.”

Now, Jorgenson will get a chance to swim abroad.

She believes that the competition will be similar to what she faces on a regular basis while competing for Nebraska.

“I’m very excited. Definitely a little nervous, but in the NCAA you’re competing against people from all different countries that just come to the U.S. for school,” Jorgenson said, “and I do believe a lot of them will probably be there, too.”