Dec. 7, 2005
According to the latest Collegeswimming.com poll, which ranks the Top 50 times in the nation in each event, the Clemson swimmers and divers are off to a great start this season. Kim Routh (500, 1650 free), Michelle Parkhurst (100 back), Rachel Regone (50, 100 free), Attila Ruszka (100 breast), and Mark Vahle (50 free) are all ranked in the top 10 in their respective events.
Routh is currently ranked second in the 500 free (4:43.90), seventh in the 1650 free (16:22.82), and 19th in the 200 free (1:49.07). Parkhurst swam her way to 5th on the list in the 100 back (55.09). She is also 17th in the 200 back 18th in the 50 free with times of 1:59.82 and 23.39, respectively. Only a freshman, Regone is ranked seventh in both the 50 (23.06) and 100 free (50.20).
Fellow freshman Cassy LaRussa is 34th in the 200 free (1:49.93) and 18th in the 500 free (4:51.37) after her swims at the Nike Cup. Senior Ashley Shafer finds herself on the top half of the 100 breast (1:03.83), as she is 25th. Sarah Cefalu swam her way to a 33rd place in the 200 IM (2:04.48) and 39th place in the 100 breast (1:04.25), also at Nike Cup.
On the men’s side, 11 Tigers compiled 23 swims ranked in the top 50. Leading the way were sophomores Attila Ruszka and Andy Bergren, who have four swims each on the list. Ruszka is seventh in the 100 breast (55.14), 13th in the 200 IM (1:50.18), 16th in the 200 breast (2:01.96), and 21st in the 400 IM (3:58.25). Bergren was placed at 12th in the 400 IM (3:56.72), 16th in the 200 IM (1:50.38) and 100 breast (56.02), and 32nd in the 200 breast (2:04.37). Mark Vahle sprinted his way to a fifth place rank in the 50 free (19.96), and 32nd place in the 100 fly (49.53). Junior Joel Johnson just missed the top 10 in the 100 back (49.33) as he came in 14th.
The senior class was well represented as well. Jordan Raynovich was 28th in the 400 IM (3:59.03), and 31st in the 200 IM (1:51.85). Charlie Dillon was 34th in the 200 back (1:49.77), and 48th in the 200 IM (1:52.71). Jonathan Mengering ranked 24th in the 500 free (4:28.32) and 48th in the 200 free (1:40.33). Also in the 200 free was Greg Middleton (1:39.95) coming in at 36th place.
Sean Geary swam his way to a 17th place rank in the 1650 free (15:34.30), and snuck in at 49th place in the 500 free (4:31.62). Brian Regone was 40th in the 100 free (45.40) after leading off the victorious 400 free relay at Nike Cup, and junior Brett MacLennan came in 34th in the 200 breast (2:04.66) and 41st in the 400 IM (4:00.31) to round out the group.
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