Amherst's Fraser, Williams' Wilson Claim 500-yard Freestyle at Day One of NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Amherst junior Alex Fraser and Williams first year Caroline Wilson both came away with an individual title in the 500-yard freestyle on Wednesday evening during day one of the 2010 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center in Minneapolis.
Fraser, who set the NCAA record in the 500 free at last year's championship, won the event in 4:24.84. Sophomore teammate Ryan Lichtenfels was fifth with a time of 4:26.31, while Williams junior Gary Roberson was eighth in 4:33.77.
Wilson broke the meet record set a year ago with a time of 4:45.47, roughly one-and-a-half seconds better than the previous NCAA mark. Wilson also edged Amherst junior Kendra Stern by six-one-hundreths of a second. It is the second year in a row that Stern has finished as the runner-up.
Williams sophomore Logan Todhunter came away with the individual title in the 200-yard IM with a time of 2:02.57. Todhunter placed third in 2009 (2:03.15).
In other events competed during day one, Eph sophomore Ben Wampler was sixth in the 50-yard freestyle (20.56) while Middlebury senior Schuyler Beeman finished eighth (20.68).
The 200-yard medley relay was the first relay event of the championship on Wednesday. The Tufts men's squad placed eighth in 1:32.29. Williams led all NESCAC teams on the women's side, finishing third overall (1:44.55) while Amherst was seventh (1:46.25).
After day one, the Lord Jeffs hold sixth among men's squads with 51 points while the Jumbos are in eighth with 32 points. Williams is in a two-way tie for 12th with 24. points. The Ephs are leading the contingent of NESCAC women's teams at the NCAA championships, holding third with a score of 81. Amherst is in fifth with 41 points, Middlebury is in a three-way tie for 25th, and Hamilton is in 28th place.
Teams return to action on Thursday for day two of the NCAA championships. The event concludes on Saturday, March 20.
