Parkhurst Wins Two ACC Titles on Third Day

Feb. 22, 2008

Following a solid morning session, the Clemson women’s swimming team was in position to pick up valuable points going into the final day. Several Tigers were able to take advantage, with junior Michelle Parkhurst winning two individual ACC titles in the 200 free and 100 back. At the end of the day, the Tigers were in fifth place with 238 points.

Parkhurst continued her head-turning performance at the 2008 ACC Championships Friday. Parkhurst used strong preliminary swims to hold the top seed in both the 200 free and 100 back. On Friday night, she put in a historic effort, winning ACC titles in the 200 free in 1:46.49 and 100 back in 53.58, lowering the school record for the second time today.

The 53.58 was less that a second from her third ACC record in as many days. Her two times in the 100 back today were the second and third best times in ACC history. On Wednesday, Parkhurst set the new ACC record in the 200 free during the 800 free relay, and her 200 free relay group set the ACC, school, and Pool record on Thursday.

The Tigers got off to a good start in the 400 IM, with a 12th place finish from Carmen Groenewoud. In the finals, Elizabeth Savage followed up her fifth-best time in Clemson history with a 4:22.56 in the finals to place sixth (13 pts.). Savage would later add an eighth place finish in the 100 breast to move her into a tie for 10th in Clemson history.

Ashley Clay represented the Tigers in the top-16 in the 100 fly with a 56.98 to pick up points, while Summer O’Donnell put in a 1:50.45 to take 14th in the 200 free, just off her career best from the preliminary round.

The 100 breast set the Tigers up for many point-scoring opportunities. Sophomore Carmen Groenewoud also put in a 1:05.30 to finish 14th.

The Tigers 400 medley relay group of Parkhurst, Obas, Peg Carter, and Rachel Regone finished fifth, but were disqualified.

The Tigers will try to improve tomorrow as they compete in the 1650 free, 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly, 400 free relay, and platform diving.