Swimmers Excel At Championship Meet
March 04, 2008 | Men's Swimming and Diving
March 4, 2008
HOUSTON, Texas --- A total of 20 East Carolina student-athletes earned all-conference honors, while setting 11 school records at the 2008 Conference USA Swimming & Diving Championship and Invitational over the weekend.
Both the men's and women's team finished in third place during their respective meets with 28 men and 19 ladies reaching the finals.
"It was one of the fastest conference championship meets we've swam from top to bottom," said Pirate head coach Rick Kobe. "I'm extremely proud of how our kids competed."
Amanda Duncan earned all-conference honors in four events, including the 200-yard butterfly. She also earned all-conference honors as a part of three relay teams.
Joined by Rebecca Perry, Katlin Potts and Jenna Stewart, Duncan helped set the ECU varsity record in the 200-yard freestyle relay while earning All-Conference USA status.
Perry set varsity records in the 100-yard freestyle and 200-yard backstroke.
Rachel Blue teamed with Duncan, Perry and Stewart to earn all-conference accolades in the 400-yard freestyle relay. Alli Miller and Stephanie Harper joined Duncan and Stewart as a part of the all-conference 200-yard medley relay team.
Harper also claimed all-conference honors in the 200-yard breaststroke, setting an ECU freshman record.
Thiago Cavalcanti set the freshman and varsity record in the 1000-yard freestyle and 1650-yard freestyle. He earned all-conference honors in three events.
Also setting freshman records were Matthew Saccurato (200 IM) and Roman Sandler (100-yard breaststroke). Senior Ryan Hunt set the varsity diving record on the platform as well.
Cavalcanti, sophomore Blake Briese, freshman Andrew Christian and senior Geoff Handsfield turned in an all-conference performance in the 800-yard freestyle relay as did the 200-yard medley relay team of Sandler, Stoker, Greg Neville, Adam Papendick.
Neville and Papendick also earned all-conference honors in the 200-yard freestyle relay along with Brian Schmitt and Jason Guzewich.
Eighteen student-athletes qualified for the U.S. Short Course National Championships with Perry and diver Christie Icenhower recording NCAA qualifying times and scores.
