The University of Louisville Swimming and Diving team will send eight women to the NCAA Championships from March 20 – 22 in Minneapolis, Minn., hosted by the University of Minnesota according the NCAA’s invitation list posted today.
Andrea Cottrell (100 and 200-breast), Gisselle Kohoyda (200-breast), Tanja Kylliainen (200-IM, 400-IM and 200-fly), and Kelsi Worrell (50-free, 100-fly and 200-fly) qualified in individual events, while Krissie Brandenburg, Mackenzie Buss, Breann McDowell, and Alexandra Sellers will add depth for the relays. All eight competitors were named to the All-AAC team last month.
“We are looking forward to represent U of L at the Women’s NCAA Championships,” Head Coach Arthur Albiero said, “We have had a fantastic season led by a special group of seniors who have been catalysts in setting the vision and goals for our program, and now we are ready to display our preparation.”
A total of 322 participants (281 swimmers and 41 divers) will compete in the championships. Swimmers qualified for the championships by meeting the established minimum time for the events in which they entered. Divers will be determined by performances at the Zone Diving Meets held March 10-16. The complete list of all swimmers competing in the championships is available at www.usaswimming.org/ncaa. Selected divers will be announced Sunday, March 16.
The last time out, both the women and men captured the American Athletic Conference Championship at Ralph Wright Natatorium. Junior Tanja Kylliainen was named the Women’s Most Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet after winning all three of her individual events.
The Louisville women have posted times that will allow them to compete in all five relays, which include: 200-free, 400-free, 800-free, 200-medley, and 400-medley.
Louisville divers Andrea Acquista, Allie Murphy, and Emily Stalmack will compete in Zone C from March 13 – 15 on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio in hopes of joining their teammates at the National Meet.
“We are bringing a very good team to the NCAA Championships, maybe our best team yet. This group is prepared to perform at the top of their game,” Albiero said, “What an incredible opportunity!”
ESPN3.com will stream finals sessions on Friday and Saturday live. Thursday’s sessions, along with the morning sessions on Friday andSaturday, will be streamed live via gophersports.com. Additionally, ESPNU will air a 90-minute show at 9 p.m. ET, Wednesday, April 2. Live results for the championships will be available on www.NCAA.com.
Cottrell, Andrea F Freshman 100 BR SCY 59.35
200 BR SCY 2:10.81
Kohoyda, Gisselle F Senior 200 BR SCY 2:09.95
Kylliainen, Tanja F Junior 200 IM SCY 1:56.34
400 IM SCY 4:04.96
200 FL SCY 1:53.94
Worrell, Kelsi F Sophomore 50 FR SCY 22.40
100 FL SCY 51.76
200 FL SCY 1:54.12
This release was provided to the SwimSwam courtesy of the University of Louisville Swimming and Diving.
