Women’s Swimming and Diving Looks To Gain Ground At ACC Championships

Feb. 17, 2006

College Park, MD- The Clemson University Women’s Swimming and Diving team had a productive morning in the pool on Friday. After defending her title in the 500 freestyle, Kim Routh (1:49.27) has earned a third seed for tonight’s finals in the 200 freestyle. She will be joined by teammate Cassy LaRussa (1:50.19) who placed fourth in last night’s 500. LaRussa will be seeded seventh tonight, but will look to move up for more points.

Also placing in the finals for tonight was freshman Michelle Parkhurst. Parkhurst will be seeded second after touching the wall with a final time of 55.07, her season fastest. This time earned her an NCAA Provisional Qualifying time. Fellow freshman Ashley Clay swam her way into the consolation finals with her season fastest time of 57.96. Clay is currently sitting in the 14th position. Jen Grove was the top Lady Tiger finisher in the 100 butterfly. Her time of 56.19 was fast enough to qualify her 10th in the consolation finals. Peg Carter will also be in the heat with Grove, as she came in 16th with a time of 56.94. Ashley Shafer and Sarah Cefalu touched the wall with nearly identical times in the 100 breaststroke. Shafer (1:04.19) will be seeded ninth tonight, while Cefalu (1:04.20) is right behind her in 10th.

The Lady Tigers will compete in the finals of the 400 IM, 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 backstroke, 3-meter diving, and the 400 medley relay. The finals will begin at 7 pm.