3/12/05 - The <?xml:namespace prefix = "st1" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Middlebury College women's swimming and diving team finished ninth overall out of 53 teams scoring at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships last week.<?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

First-year swimmer Marika Ross (Shorewood, Wis.) had an impressive week, as she won the NCAA title in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:02.25, a new school and NESCAC conference record. Ross placed second in the 400 IM, setting a new school record with a time of 4:29.57. She also earned All-American status in the 200 IM, placing third with a time of 2:06.

The Panthers boasted a second national champion, in senior diver Tessa Truex (Wethersfield, Conn.). Truex turned in a top performance in the one-meter competition, winning the event with 378.80 points. First-year racer Sara Cowie (N. Palm Beach, Fla.) earned All-American status with a fifth place finish in the 1,650 free (17:17.10). She also placed 10th overall in the 500 free with a time of 5:03.32.

Middlebury also enjoyed some success with its relay teams, earning the athletes All-American status with a pair of top eight finishes. The 400 freestyle relay team of Ross, sophomores Barbara Van der Veer (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Liz Rice (New Canaan, Conn.), along with first-year swimmer Pam Chatikavanij (Bangkok, Thailand) came in fifth with a time of 3:31.75. Cowie, Ross, junior Mollie Reed (S. Burlington, Vt.) and first-year racer Katie Chambers (Mountain Lakes, N.J.) comprised the 800 free relay team that placed eighth (7:46.14).