Dec. 2, 2010

Contact: Dan Carr

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Four members of the Cleveland State swimming and diving team competed in Thursday's (Dec. 2) action at the USA Swimming National Championship in Columbus, Ohio.

Berry Thompson had the best finish of the day for CSU, nearly making the cut for the finals in the 50 free with a 20.54 finish. The time equaled his best of the season in that event.

Alice Sommerville also swam in the 50 free, finishing with a time of 23.80. Mark de Swardt competed in the 500 free (4:31.72) and Joanna Olsson swam in the 200 IM (2:07.02).

"We had some good swims today," assistant swimming coach Andrew Hancock said. "It's been a long couple of weeks of competing and training, and it takes its toll. It's hard to swim perfectly after a run like that.

"Our performances were pretty good, and they weren't even in the athletes' best events. I expect us to do even better in the next couple days, and hopefully make a couple of the finals."

The Vikings were competing against some of the best collegiate swimmers in the country from schools all over America.

"We are going up against some very good swimmers, including some Olympic athletes, and we're racing them real tough," Hancock said.

Cleveland State will continue its run at the USA Swimming National Championship tomorrow (Dec. 3).

CSU Times on Day One of the USA Swimming National Championship:
Mark de Swardt - 500 Free, 4:31.72 (47th overall)
Joanna Olsson - 200 IM, 2:07.02 (74th overall)
Alice Sommerville - 50 Free, 23.80 (58th overall)
Berry Thompson - 50 Free, 20.54 (36th overall)