Tampa Completes Swimming Championships Among Nation’s Best

HOUSTON, Texas - In the final day of the 2009 NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships at the Winter Festival, The University of Tampa men's team finished eighth while the Spartan women were 12th overall.

In men's competition, UT tallied 199 points as Drury captured the national championship. Tampa's women came in at 109 total points as Drury also captured the title.

On the men's side, Tampa's Chris O'Linger was second in the 1,650 Free in the final day with a time of 15:09.90. Teammates Hunter Lineback (12th) and Tyler Furrer (19th) also competed in the race. Patrick Murray was also 14th in the 200 Back with a time of 1:50.96.

The Spartan women were led by Jessie Bardin, who placed seventh in the 100 Free at 50.42. The UT 400 Free Relay team also finished seventh as the participants included Bardin, Allison Vetter, Hannah Hudson and Stephanie Branham. The final time was 3:28.16.

NOTE: All participants who finish in the top eight of the finals are awarded with All-American status.