Mankato, Minn. — The Minnesota State men's and women's swimming and diving squads will conclude the 2008-09 season by sending 20 student-athletes to the NCAA Division II National Championships next week in Houston, Texas. The four-day long event will be part of the NCAA Division II Winter Sports Festival as the NCAA Division II men's and women's indoor track and field championships and the NCAA Division II wrestling championships will all occur next weekend in Houston.
"We are excited to be sending the largest national team in program history to the national championship meet," said head coach Nate Owens, who is in his fifth year with the Maverick program. \\\"The majority of our athletes have qualified to compete in both relay and individual events, so the potential to score more points than in the past has increased significantly."
On the men's side, the Mavericks are sending swimmers in five individual races to go with three relay squads. MSU is also sending one diver, sophomore Billy Meyer, who will dive in the one and three-meter dives. The Maverick men are highlighted by senior Marty Wahle, a 10-time All-American in his two previous trips to nationals.
On the women's side, the Mavericks are sending 11 individual swimmers and five relay teams. MSU is also sending three divers in both the one and three meter dives. Senior Ashley Baer is making her fourth career trip to nationals and is the owner of eight career All-American finishes
We've currently have five relay teams ranked in the top-10," added Owens. "Our women's 200 medley relay (Angela Krych, Kaitlin Ogden, Emily Timm, Kim Christensen) has posted the fastest time in Division II this season. I'm hopeful that our athletes can take advantage of the opportunities at nationals, peak at the right time, and perform better than they have all season."
The diving qualifying begins Tuesday, March 10. Swimming events, along with diving, will run March 11-14. The swimming and diving events will be held at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center (CRWC) Natatorium on the campus of the University of Houston.
The complete competition list, along with season-high times, a national qualifying roster, and All-Americans, can be found in the subsequent pages.
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