Saarnak Posts Nation's Top Time at SC Championships

Dec. 11, 2009

Istanbul, Turkey – University of Miami swimmer Annika Saarnak set a new Estonia national record in the 100-meter freestyle Thursday evening during the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.

Saarnak, a junior from Puhaleda, Estonia (Pirita Majandusgumnaasium), took to the waters for her home country in the 100-meter freestyle. As one of the top swimmers for the `Canes, and one of the first recruits for UM head swimming coach Christie Shefchunas – now enjoying her fourth year in Coral Gables, Saarnak posted a time of 54.78 seconds in the finals. Overall, Saarnak placed 33rd out of more than 50 swimmers in the race.

The mark for Saarnak established a new national record for Estonia. In yard measurement, Saarnak’s time equates to a new personal-best performance with a time of 48.90 seconds.

Saarnak will continue to swim through the final day of the event, December 13. She still stands to swim the 200 free, 50- and 100 butterfly.

The European Short Course Championships are held every year in winter, usually in December. The Championships are a Short Course (25-meter pool) swimming competition organized by LEN — Europe’s main swimming governing body. Prior to 1996, the competition was called the European Sprint Swimming Championships.

For more information on the University of Miami Swimming & Diving team, please log on to www.hurricanesports.com. Once there, you will find up-to-date news, results and information regarding the Hurricanes Swimming & Diving program.