Three Individuals Win Titles on Final Day of NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Three NESCAC student-athletes came away with individual titles during the final day of the 2010 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center in Minneapolis on Saturday. Amherst's Ryan Lichtenfels took the 1,650-yard freestyle, while Williams first year Caroline Wilson won the women's 1,650. The Jeffs' Kendra Stern claimed the the 100-yard freestyle crown.
After finishing second as a freshman in the 1,650, Lichtenfels finished first with a time of 15:23.80. Williams junior Gary Roberson was eighth (15:47.33). Wilson added to her weekend title haul with a record-breaking performance of 16:25.21 in the 1,650.
For the second year in a row, Stern set the NCAA standard in the 100-yard freestylewith a time of 48.98. In the men's 100 free, Ben Wampler earned second (44.41) over Amherst junior Alex Fraser (44.58).
Middlebury junior John Dillon came up just short of adding a third NCAA title this year, placing second in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 1:47.27. Amherst first year Emily Swett came in fifht in the 200-yard women's backstroke to lead all NESCAC competitors, while Ellen Ramsey of Williams in 2:05.92.
In the final diving event of the week, Middlebury's Meagan Collins finished third overall with a score of 475.70. Tufts senior Lindsay Gardel came in seventh with an even score of 425.00.
Middlebury was one of three conference teams among the top eight in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:01.02). Amherst was right behind in fourth (3:01.79) while Williams came in seventh (3:03.60). The Ephs' women's relay squad placed fourth with a time of 3:27.85 in the 400 free.
Emory took the overall women's NCAA title with a score of 568.5. Williams was third with 367 points, while Amherst was sixth with 169. Middlebury tied for 18th (69), Tufts tied for 30th (27), Connecticut College finished 50th (3), and Hamilton tied for 51st (1).
On the men's side, Kenyon won its 31st straight national title with an impressive score of 696. Amherst finished fith with 217 points, Middlebury in seventh with 180, and Williams in ninth with 160. Tufts recorded 51 points and tied for 18th, and Connecticut College tied for 39th.
Williams' Logan Todhunter, who won national titles in the women's 200-yard IM and the 100- and 200-yard butterfly events, was named 2010 Swimmer of the Meet, and Eph head coach Steve Kuster was tabbed as the Women's Coach of the Meet.
