Tampa Swimmers Turn in Historic Performance at NCAA Championships

DALLAS - The University of Tampa men's and women's swimming teams wrapped up competition at the 2012 NCAA Division II Swimming Championships, with its women turning in its best finish since 1988. UT's women were fourth as its men finished 13th in the nation.

The fourth-place finish for the Spartan women marks the best finish since 1988, when head coach Ed Brennan's UT squad was the national runner-up. Tampa also earned a trophy, which is awarded to the top-four teams. Tampa has now finished in the nation top-13 a total of 13 times, including five top-five finishes.

UT finished with 222 points, as just four points separated the Spartans from fifth-place Grand Canyon. National champion Wayne State (497), Drury (496) and UC-San Diego (451.5) were the lone teams to finish ahead of Tampa.

Tampa's men logged 104 total points in its 13th-place effort, as Drury won the men's national title with 473 points.

Heather Glenday continued her excellent run at the NCAA Championships, this time in the 1,650 Free. The sophomore who is already a two-time All-American finished sixth with a time of 17:01.47.

Norbert Kovacs also concluded a successful championship meet of his own in the 1,650 Free, swimming to a 12th place finish with a showing of 15:44.24.

Berk Kahraman also represented UT's men in the 200 Back, placing ninth at 1:48.10

Lisa Bero turned in a fifth place effort in the 200 Breast, being timed at 2:18.16 as the sophomore gave the Spartans much-needed points to go towards its record team finish.

Leading GCU by eight points heading into the women's 400 Free Relay, Tampa held onto its spot while earning its trophy with an eighth-place effort. UT registered a 3:25.88 school record time from Kylie Piche, Glenday, Kristine Kassl and Erin Plachy.

In the final event of the championships, the Spartan men's 400 Free Relay team was 13th with a time of 3:02.31 from David Humphrey, Felipe Manzo, Jeff Fiore and Derek Krell.

Following is a complete list of UT performances at the 2012 NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships at the Mansfield ISD Natatorium. Top eight performances are awarded All-American while nine through 16 are honorable mention All-Americans.

Wednesday
Heather Glenday, 1,000 Free, 2nd, 10:00.72
Norbert Kovacs, 1,000 Free, 15th, 9:25.02
Alex Hipolito, 200 IM, 10th, 2:04.70
Erin Plachy, 50 Free, 13th, 23.43
Women's 200 Medley Relay, 9th, 1:44.69, Hilary Stetekluh, Alex Hipolito, Lindsay Calimer and Erin Plachy.
Men's 200 Medley Relay, 14th, 1:30.40, Berk Kahraman, David Humphrey, Kovacs and Felipe Manzo.

Thursday
Women's 200 Free Relay, 9th, 1:35.23, Erin Plachy, Kristine Kassl, Lindsay Calimer and Heather Glenday
Men's 200 Free Relay, 8th, 1:22.44, David Humphrey, Felipe Manzo, Jeff Fiore and Derek Krell
Lindsay Calimer, 100 Fly, 9th, 55.76
Norbert Kovacs, 100 Fly, 11th, 48.89
Heather Glenday, 200 Free, 5th, 1:50.34
Women's 400 Medley Relay, 10th, 3:50.78, Hilary Stetekluh, Alex Hipolito, Lindsay Calimer and Erin Plachy
Men's 400 Medley Relay, 12th, 3:19.40, Berk Kahraman, Jeff Fiore, Norbert Kovacs and Felipe Manzo

Friday
Heather Glenday, 500 Free, 5th, 4:55.33
Alex Hipolito, 100 Breast, 4th, 1:03.90
Catherine Parker, 200 Fly, 8th, 2:04.76
Lindsay Calimer, 200 Fly, 10th, 2:04.48
Women's 800 Free Relay, 7th, 7:31.98, Kristine Kassl, Heather Glenday, Alexandria Greenhill and Alex Hipolito
Berk Kahraman, 100 Back, 9th, 48.82
Norbert Kovacs, 200 Fly, 2nd, 1:46.51
Men's 800 Free Relay, 12th, 6:44.41, Jeff Fiore, Berk Kahraman, David Humphrey and Norbert Kovacs

Saturday
Heather Glenday, 1,650 Free, 6th, 17:01.47
Norbert Kovacs, 1,650 Free, 12th, 15:44.24
Berk Kahraman, 200 Back, 9th, 1:48.10
Lisa Bero, 200 Breast, 5th, 2:18.16
Women's 400 Free Relay, 8th, 3:25.88, Kylie Piche, Heather Glenday, Kristine Kassl and Erin Plachy
Men's 400 Free Relay, 13th, 3:02.31, David Humphrey, Felipe Manzo, Jeff Fiore and Derek Krell