From: Jeff Febus (jfebus@calvin.edu)
Date: Fri Mar 14 2003 - 12:57:22 EST
CALVIN SPORTS REPORT (PART ONE) FOR MARCH 14, 2003
WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING
ATLANTA, GA – For the first time in her career, Katie Nagelkirk will have
the opportunity to compete in the finals of an NCAA III Championship event.
The Calvin College senior qualified for the championship finals in the 200
freestyle Friday morning with a school record time of 1:53.73 that allowed her
to grab the eighth and final spot for Friday night’s championship heat.
A native of Zeeland and a graduate of Holland Christian High School, Nagelkirk
broke her own school record of 1:54.90 set at the MIAA Championships last month
with her Friday morning swim.
Provided that she finishes Friday night’s race, Nagelkirk is assured of NCAA
III All-America honors in an individual event for the first time in her
collegiate career. A year ago, Nagelkirk just missed All-America honors in the
50 and 100 freestyle, finishing ninth in both events.
“I could not be any happier than I am today for Katie Nagelkirk,” said
Calvin swim coach Dan Gelderloos. “There is still work for her to do tonight
but she was awesome this morning. We’re really excited to see her swim in
the finals this evening.”
Nagelkirk’s time in 200 freestyle Friday morning was one of two
school-record performances for the Knights as freshman Abby Johnson of Grand
Haven High School shattered her own school record in the 100 butterfly with a
time of 59.15 that placed her 27th in the morning preliminaries. Although the
performance did not advance Johnson to Friday night’s consolation or
championship round, the time was still significant as it eclipsed her previous
school record time of 59.57 set in a meet at Hillsdale this past January.
“I was very pleased with Abby’s performance this morning,” said
Gelderloos. “The level of competition at nationals this year is very high.
For her to come into a field like this and produce another school record is
outstanding.”
Johnson is scheduled to compete in the 200 butterfly on Saturday. In addition
to her Friday night swim in the 200 freestyle, Nagelkirk is slated to swim in
the 100 freestyle on Saturday.
Calvin is currently in 28th place with 11 points.
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