Greensboro, N.C., March 20, 2019 – Following the first day of NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving National Championships the Washington University in St. Louis men posted two All-American finishes while the women took home All-American honorable mention in the 200 medley relay.
Senior Kevin Van Cleave placed second in the 200 individual medley to earn All-American honors and runner-up status with a time of 1:47.19 to secure the Bears 17 points. He finished a thousandth of a second from tying the school record. Van Cleave also was the second leg of the sixth place finishing 200 medley relay.
Junior Jerry Chen swam the opening backstroke (23.25) before Van Cleave swam the breaststroke (24.65), senior Andrew Pek swam the butterfly (21.46) and junior Peyton Wilson wrapped it up with the freestyle (19.95). The men's times totaled 1:29.31, good for sixth place and All-American honors after posting a season-best 1:29.19 in prelims.
The men are in seventh place with 43 points scored after two All-American honors. The men's 200 medley relay scored 26 points.
The WashU women's 200 medley relay also scored on the first day of the meet. The Bears took 15th place earning All-American honor mention status behind the efforts of freshman Kiki Bonetta-Misteli in the backstroke (26.96), junior Stephanie Li in the breaststroke (29.12), senior Lauren Sapp in the butterfly (25.08) and freshman Grace Carey in the freestyle (23.74).
The group combined to finish in 1:44.90 after posting the 12th fastest time in prelims, 1:44.79. The quartet scored four points for WashU. The Bears are tied for 30th place.
Results for the mornings prelims can be found below:
WashU will continue competition Thursday, March 21 with prelims beginning at 10 a.m. (ET) and finals starting at 6 p.m. (ET). The Bears will participate in the 200 freestyle relay, 400 IM, 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle, and 400 medley relay. Be sure to stay up to date on all your Bears scores and awards by following @WashUBears on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
