Algee Qualifies for 2017 NCAA Championships
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – For the second straight year, Miami Hurricanes swimmer Angela Algee will take part in the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships.
Algee, who qualified for the 2016 NCAA Championships in the 100-yard butterfly, will participate in three events in the 2017 championships, including her signature 100 fly event, in which she posted the 19th-best time in the country this season at a qualifying meet in Gainesville last week.
“I can’t imagine myself any happier than I am right now, with getting the opportunity to finish my career at NCAAs,” Algee said. “Because I had a week of not knowing whether or not I was going to be there competing this year, I am even more excited to represent my team and school there and to finish my swimming career at Miami at one of the most competitive meets in the country.”
Head coach Andy Kershaw said that Algee’s return trip to the NCAA Championships is a testament to her work ethic.
“I’m very excited that all of the work and discipline that Angela and her teammates have put in this year has paid off in this way. I have seen Angela mature so much as a person and a swimmer, and that process continues every day,” Kershaw said. “She is a great representative of our program and the university as a whole. Her determination and competitiveness gives her a great chance at succeeding at NCAA Championships, and I can’t wait to watch her perform as a Hurricane one more time.”
The championships will be held March 15-18 at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis and Indiana Sports Corp will serve as co-hosts.
“I think that last year, given the fact that I was ranked lower, was more about the feat of making the meet,” Algee said. “This year, now that I’m seeded 19th, it’s more about getting points for the University of Miami. I think getting the experience at the meet last year and watching every session will help my performance, and hopefully get me into a scoring final for my team.”
Algee, who finished the 100 fly in a career-best 52.01 to secure her trip to Indianapolis, will also take part in the 200 fly (1:58.38) and 50 free (22.95), where she posted NCAA “B” cut times this season.
“I am very honored to get the chance to give it my all for the second time of my life at this meet and ending my year this way with my coach,” Algee said. “I couldn’t have done it without the support of my team and the great atmosphere and confidence that they have all had all year.”
A total of 322 participants (281 swimmers and 41 divers) will compete in the championships. Swimmers qualified for the championships by meeting the established minimum time for the events in which they entered. Divers will be determined by performances at the Zone Diving Meets held March 6-11. The complete list of swimmers competing in the championships is available at www.usaswimming.org/ncaa. Selected divers will be announced Sunday, March 12.
ESPN3.com will stream the championships finals sessions live on Friday and Saturday. Wednesday’s evening session, Thursday’s sessions along with the morning sessions on Friday and Saturday will be streamed live on NCAA.com and indianasportscorp.org/ncaasd. Additionally, ESPNU will air a two-hour broadcast via tape delay at 7 p.m. Eastern time, Tuesday, March 28. Live results for the championships will be available on NCAA.com.
“I can’t believe it’s my last meet as a Cane, but I am so blessed for all my four years swimming here, and blessed to be able to extend my career these extra three weeks before getting to Indianapolis,” Algee said.
