UM to Send 10 Swimmers & Divers to NCAA's

Coral Gables, Fla. (hurricanesports.com) – 10 University of Miami swimmersand divers have qualified to compete in the 2002 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships.

The Hurricane swimmers are led by sophomore Manon van Rooijen (Westdorpe, Holland).Van Rooijen was named 2002 BIG EAST Most Outstanding Women’s Swimmer after shatteringthree BIG EAST records at the conference championship meet in Uniondale, N.Y.on February 21-23.

Van Rooijen holds two individual school records in the 100- and 200-yard freestyleand three school records in relay events including the 200 free, 400 free and400 medley.

Junior Christine Williams (Trenton, N.J.), freshman Erin Johns (Saltsburg, Pa.)and junior Megan Kinsella (Calgary, Canada) round out the UM swimming representatives.

In addition to their individual events, the Hurricanes qualified to compete inthe 200, 400, and 800 free relays.

“This is the first time in over ten years that we’ve had a relay qualifyfor NCAA’s,” said head swimming coach James Sweeney. “It is a greatstep for our program and a tremendous effort by these ladies.”

Miami also sends six divers to compete on the national stage.

Senior Imre Lengyel (Budapest, Hungary) and Michelle Davison (Columbia, S.C.)represent the best of the BIG EAST Conference. Both were named 2002 Most OutstandingBIG EAST Divers at the conference championships in February.

Miami qualified all four of its men divers with Lengyel, senior Stefan Ahrens(Lichtenhagen-Dorf, Germany), junior Kyle Prandi (Strongsville, Ohio) and freshmanMiguel Velazquez (Mexico City, Mexico) heading to nationals.

The UM women divers will be represented by Davison and junior Katie Beth Bryant(Chatham, Ill.).

The 2002 Women’s NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships are scheduled for March21-23 at the University of Texas while the men’s championship is scheduled forMarch 28-30 at the University of Georgia.

Visit the UM athletics website at HurricaneSports.com for the latest informationon Miami Swimming & Diving.