Freshman Kyle Ties School Record as Tigers Finish Friday Prelims

Feb. 20, 2009

Friday’s Preliminary Round Results

COLLEGE PARK, MD – The Clemson women’s swimming and diving team wrapped up the preliminary round of the third day of the ACC Championships, which consisted of the 400 IM, 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, and 100 backstroke. Three Tigers made it in to the final round of their respective events, while four more swimmers will compete for points in the consolation finals. The finals can be viewed live for free on ACC Select by clicking on the link below and also on the live results link on www.clemsontigers.com.

Friday’s Finals Live Action:

Watch for Free Live on ACC Select (coverage begins at 5:15 p.m.) | Live Results

The morning started with the 400 Individual Medley, in which Mandy Snell and Elizabeth Savage led the Tigers and will both have an opportunity to score in the consolation finals. Snell had a career-best 4:24.35, while Savage clocked in at 4:25.39. Carmen Groenewoud and Kerry McLaughlin will also swim at night, as each qualified for the bonus consolation round.

Sophomore Meggie Mizelle led the Tigers in the 100 fly with a career-best 55.39, which was good for third in Clemson history, and will take aim at the school recor din bonus consolation finals. Kelli Kyle (55.72) and Alexandra Allen (55.73) also entered the all-time top ten at sixth and seventh, respectively, with their preliminary efforts.

Michelle Parkhurst took the first step toward defending her 200 free title, taking the number-one overall spot in the preliminary round with an NCAA-B 1:46.17. Cassy LaRussa just missed the scoring cut, finishing 17th in the prelims with a 1:49.64, just 0.12 off her career-best. Rachel Hesler had a strong showing as well, notching a personal-best 1:50.60.

Carmen Groenewoud also earned a spot in the bonus consolation finals, while senior Lauren Sindall was left out by one spot.

Freshman Kelli Kyle then took to the water in the 100 back, and swam the third-best time in the event, putting her in the hunt for an ACC crown. Her 53.58 tied teammate Michelle Parkhurst school record. Parkhurst, the defending ACC champion in the event, placed 11th in prelims with a season-best 54.53. Now tied at the top of the Clemson record-books, the two will each have an opportunity to seize the record in night competition. One of the two will also likely swim the lead-off leg of the 400 medley relay, affording a second possible opportunity at the school mark.

Cara Lennon also will compete at night in the 100 back after posting the third-best time in Clemson history with an NCAA-B 54.97. She will be seeded 14th and in guaranteed points for the Tigers with her spot in the consolation finals.

The likely Tigers’ group of Parkhurst, Obas, Tarantolo, and Regone will take aim at the school record of 3:42.43 when they take part in the 400 medley relay. Chris Ip has a couple of options in this event, as far as whom to match-up.

The women’s diving portion will also take place when the prelims are completed. Finals action will take place tonight, starting at 5:15, and can be viewed for free at www.clemsontigers.com.