University of Richmond Athletics
Jessica Witt Earns Top-10 Finish In Day Two At The NCAA Swimming Championships
03/17/2006 | Women's Swimming & Diving
March 17, 2006
Complete Results
ATHENS, GA. - Sophomore Jessica Witt, who cut more than two seconds off her previous best in the 400 IM earlier in the day, logged a ninth-place finish in Friday evening's finals at the 2006 NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships. Witt, and freshman Lauren Beaudreau will return to the water at the Gabrielsen Natatorium on the campus of the University of Georgia, Saturday, March 18 in the third and final day of NCAA competition. Witt will swim in the 1650 free event during the evening finals, while Beaudreau will take part in the 200 breast during the morning prelims.
"To make the jump Jess did from two weeks ago to what she accomplished tonight was impressive," head coach Matt Barany said. "She has always said just give her a chance and she showed what she can do tonight."
The Fullerton, Calif., native swam a school-record 4:16.15 in the consolation finals to log nine points for the Spiders in the team standings. Witt recorded a school-record time of 4:16.15 in the event Friday morning to earn a berth in this evening's session. Witt, who came into the day seeded 30th in the event, was more than a second faster than the previous Spider record of 4:17.25, set by former Richmond swimmer Mary Adams in 2004.
"Both of these women are not afraid to swim with the competition at the championships," Barany said. "This is the competition we want to have for our entire team. We want to bring more Spiders to this event -- take home what we have learned here in hopes we all can come back in the years to come."
Freshman Lauren Beaudreau logged a 1:02.94 in the 100 breast during the morning session, and did not qualify for the evening session. The A-10 Rookie of the Year had swam a 1:02.20 at the Atlantic 10 Championships to earn the Spider school record in the event.
"With Jess scoring points tonight for us it only helps us believe in what we can do as a team," Barany said. "It also gives us a name and will help us in so many more ways."
Witt and Beaudreau return to action Saturday, March 18, the third and final day of NCAA Championship competition. Beaudreau will swim in the 200 breast prelims during the morning session which begins at 11 a.m., while Witt will wait until the evening finals to take part in the 1650 free. Finals will begin at 7 p.m. in Athens, Ga.
