March 19, 2010
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Katelyn Weddle advanced to the B Final in the 100 breaststroke, finishing fourth (12th overall) in that race as she became the first Aztec swimmer to ever record points at the NCAA Championships being contested at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. Her finish in that race B Friday evening scored five points for the Aztecs to put them in 39th place, one ahead of MWC rival Brigham Young.
Weddle, a freshman from Kofa High School in Yuma, Ariz., qualified for the final as she turned in a time of 1:00.69 in the prelims, the 12th fastest time of the morning session as well. Her time was .04 second off the San Diego State record (1:00.65) that she set at the Mountain West Conference Championships three weeks ago. Weddle went 1:00.96 in the Friday night's B Final.
Earlier in the day, San Diego State freshman Leona Jennings competed in the prelims for the 100 backstroke. The first-year Aztec from Seattle won Heat 2 with a time of 54.26, but that mark was not enough to qualify her form the finals. She finished 35th of 52 competitors overall and her time was just .04 second off the SDSU record that she set earlier this season.
Both Weddle and Jennings will be in action on Saturday (March 20) during the final day of the NCAA meet. Jennings will compete in the 200 backstroke while Weddle will swim in the 200 breaststroke race.
The 200 back is the first event of the morning and gets underway at 8:00 a.m. PT with the 200 breast scheduled as the third race of the prelims.
Live video stream of every heat can be viewed at the NCAA Championship web site by clicking here. Races results are available at that site as well.