Hurricanes Complete First Day at NCAA Championships

March 20, 2003

AUBURN, Ala. (www.hurricanesports.com) – – Several members of the University of Miami swimming and diving team completed their first day at the NCAA Championships Thursday at Auburn University in Alabama.

According to swim coach James Sweeney, both Manon Van Rooijen (Westdorpe, Holland) and Elaine Schwartz (Mt. Laurel, NJ) both had somewhat “off days,” but that the 200-yard IM both Hurricanes swam in could serve as a good tune-up for tomorrows events. Van Rooijen specializes in the 100 and 200-yard freestyle races, while Schwartz’s best event is the 400 IM.

In Thursday’s competition, Schwartz recorded a time of 2:04.48 and Van Rooijen swam 2:04.56 in the 200 IM.

Sweeney noted that any “NCAA competition is good and we’re just happy to be a part of it,” but stressed that the Hurricanes will look for improved performances as the championship progresses.

Among the divers, coach Randy Ableman said that he was pleased with the performance of Emily Spychala (Odessa, Fla.) in the one-meter dive. Spychala scored a 267.60 and just missed the final cut.

All-American Katie Beth Bryant (Chatham, Ill.) struggled somewhat, scoring a 257.35 on the one-meter, but Ableman said that he is confident she will be able to bounce back for the three-meter competition held tomorrow.

“When you get here, there’s just no room for error,” the decorated coach said.

Results for Miami swimming and diving for tomorrow will be posted tomorrow following the competitions on www.hurricanesports.com.