Williams Women Finish Third, Men Tie for Fourth at NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Williams women's swimming and diving team placed third while the Eph men tied for fourth as the final day of the 2011 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships wrapped up on Saturday at the University of Tennessee’s Allan Jones Aquatic Center. Two NESCAC swimmers came away with individual titles on Saturday, bringing the total for the week to 14.

Sophomore Caroline Wilson of Williams repeated in the 1,650-yard freestyle event, finishing the race in 16:31.46. Senior teammate Erin Altenburger was third in 16:59.13.

Amherst senior Kendra Stern wrapped up the NCAA championships with her third national title of the week, winning the 100-yard freestyle in 49.50. Stern, who was named Swimmer of the Meet, completed her career by winning the 100- and 200-yard freestyle in each of her four years. She earned 10 national titles during her tenure.

In other events during the final day, the Amherst tandem of junior Ryan Lichtenfels and freshman Conor McAuliffe placed fifth and eighth in the men's 1,650-yard freestyle. Williams junior Ben Wampler was fifth in the 100-yard freestyle (44.79). In the 200-yard backstroke, junior Timothy Walsh of Connecticut College was third (1:47.69) and Middlebury senior John Dillon was sixth (1:48.37).

The Williams duo of sophomores Paul Dyrkacz and Chris Corbett finished in the top eight of the 200-yard breaststroke. Dyrkacz was fourth (2:01.42) while Corbett was eighth (2:04.76).

Tufts freshman Johann Schmidt placed sixth in the 3-meter diving event with a score of 506.45.

In the final event, Williams placed fourth in the women's 400-yard freestyle relay and sixth in the men's 400-yard freestyle relay.

On the women's side, Amherst came in behind Williams with a ninth-place showing with 121 points. Connecticut College was 14th (69) and Hamilton was 20th (46.5). Emory won the women's NCAA title with 614 total points.

For the men, Amherst was sixth, just 26 points behind Williams as the Lord Jeffs accumulated 198 points. Middlebury was the third NESCAC team in the top 10, taking 10th with 126 points. Tufts tied for 20th with 43 points, and Connecticut College tied for 25th with 33 points. Denison ended Kenyon's 31-year hold on the NCAA men's title by one point, 500.5 to 499.5.