Kaan Tayla Event: Sprint Freestyle/Butterfly
Class: Senior
Hometown: Ankara, Turkey
 
photo Skinner on Tayla: "Kaan has the highest tempo of any sprint freestyler I've ever coached, coupled with a huge desire for success. He will continue his greatness through the 2008 Olympics."

2006-07: A major contributor in the Hokies' success at the ACC Championships ... Earned All-ACC honors for running the first leg of the ACC champion 200 and 400-yard freestyle relay squads ... Both teams recorded school record times of 1:19.47 and 2:56.67, respectively ... Posted a season-best and school record time of 44.13 to finish second in the 100 free ... Posted a season-best time in the 50 free to finish second ... Also placed 16th in the 200 free ... Finished second in the 100 free, third in the 50 free and 35th in the butterfly at the Nike Cup.

SUNY Binghamton: Broke five American East records ... Won the most outstanding swimmer as a freshman and sophomore ... Swam in the final at the World University Games ... Won four events at the American East Championships.

High School: A member of the Buyuk Kole swim club ... Represented Turkey at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle events ... Broke the 50- and 100-meter freestyle Turkish national record ... Finished fourth at the European Junior Championships.

Personal: Kaan Tayla ... Born Feb. 17, 1986 ... Son of Ali and Suheyla Tayla ... Majoring in geography.