Cassella Qualifies for U.S. Senior Swimming and Diving Nationals

Aug. 9, 2002

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson’s Ryan Cassella competed in the Speedo Champions Series Long Course Sectional swimming meet in Buffalo, NY on Aug. 1-4. Cassella took first place in the 100m and 200m breaststroke and fifth in the 200 IM. His relay team finished first in the 400 medley relay.

In the 100m breaststroke, Cassella posted a meet record time of 1:05.36. In the preliminary round of the event he swam a personal best 1:05.07. He also posted a personal and meet best time of 2:21.67 in the 200m breaststroke. Cassella qualified for the Phillips 66 National Championships in both events. In the 400 medley relay, his team qualified for U.S. Open competition with a meet record time of 3:56.54 for a first place finish. Cassella finished fifth in the 200 IM with a time of 2:12.71.

At the 2002 ACC Swimming and Diving Championships the junior from Cheshire, CT placed seventh in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 55.80. His relay team finished third in the 400 medley relay at the championships with a time of 3:17.59. Cassella was one of the Tigers’ most consistent swimmers in the breaststroke during the 2001-02 season.