Clemson Swimming and Diving In Third Place After Day One

Nov. 17, 2006

Chapel Hill, NC – The Clemson Swimming and Diving teams had a productive first day at the Nike Cup from Koury Natatorium in Chapel Hill, NC. The Lady Tigers compiled 209 points and one event victory from Cassy LaRussa, and trail only Florida State by 51 points and North Carolina by 20 points.

The men were led by Mark Vahle and Attila Ruszka en route to 203 points, only four behind second place Kentucky

Clemson’s women started off the Thursday night session with a third place from the 200 freestyle relay of Rachel Regone, Michelle Parkhurst, Lauren Sindall, and Caitlin Seed. The team touched the wall in 1:34.36, a season best for the event. LaRussa then followed with a victory in the 500 freestyle with an NCAA Provisional Qualifying time of 4:51.12. Rachel Regone sprinted to a second place finish with a time of 22.98. Regone posted a time of 22.91 during the preliminary heats to become just the second Lady Tiger ever to break 23 seconds in the event. Rachel Regone finished with a time of 3:46.78.

The men started off their title defense with the 200 freestyle relay as the team of Mark Vahle, Stephen Russell, Brian Regone, and Bryce Herrington touched with a time of 1:22.11. Senior Brett MacLennan (4:36.68) was the top Clemson finisher in the 500 freestyle, as he placed 15th. Attila Ruszka (1:50.62) then won the 200 IM, finishing almost a second and a half ahead of the competition. Andy Bergren (1:53.40) placed eighth, and Matt Angelini (1:53.79) finished 13th, both with season best times. Mark Vahle made it back-to-back event victories for the Tigers as he took the 50 freestyle with a time of 20.12. Stephen Russell and Brian Regone finished ninth and 12th, respectively. David Giambra was the top Tiger diver as he finished his six dives in 12th place with a score of 253.00 on the one-meter board. In the final event of the evening, Clemson showed their depth as the relay of Joel Johnson, Mark Vahle, and Brian Regone finished fifth with a time of 3:22.09, and the team of Andy Bergren, Jason Chatlosh, and Stephen Russell placed seventh in 3:23.57.

The action will resume Friday morning at 10 am with the 400 IM, 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, and 100 backstroke.