CAA Sends Three to NCAA Women?s Swimming and Diving Championship

3/7/2013 10:54:00 PM

RICHMOND, Va. (March 7, 2013) - The CAA will send three representatives to the upcoming NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championship, which is set for March 21-23 at the IU Natatorium/IUPUI Sports Complex in Indianapolis, Ind. Towson's Kaitlin Burke, UNCW's Carly Tanner, and James Madison's Sin Hye Won were each selected to participate in various events after posting qualifying times at last weekend's CAA Swimming and Diving Championships.

Tanner posted a qualifying time of 1:00.01 at the CAA Championship to earn the 20^th seed in the 100 breaststroke. The Manassas, Va. native also earned a bid in the 50 freestyle after clocking a time of 22.45 in the event last weekend. Tanner will also be optional entry in the 100 freestyle.

"Without a doubt, Carly's one of the top female swimmers we've ever had in the program," said 36-year veteran UNCW coach Dave Allen, a 15-time CAA Coach-of-the-Year honoree. "She's a very talented swimmer who has worked hard and improved every year. She's done everything she's needed to do, inside and outside the pool, to get better."

Tanner cleared her path to the NCAA meet by raking in five medals at last week's CAA Championships, earning Co-Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet honors with Burke. She joins Caitlin Kirsteier (2010) as UNCW's only female swimmers to reach the NCAA's.

Burke will represent the CAA in the 1650 free after qualifying with a time of 16:18.44 at the CAA Championship. The Baltimore native will also be an optional entry in the200 and 500 free.

"To get back to representing Towson at a national level is extremely special and we are looking to swim the fastest times of the year," Towson head coach Pat Mead said. "We're really looking forward to this opportunity."

Burke recently capped a remarkable junior season by winning three individual titles at the CAA Championships, helping the Tigers capture their fifth team title in six seasons. Burke won the 200, 500, and 1,650 freestyle events at the conference championship, setting a meet record in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:46.69.

Won qualified for the 100 breast with a time of 1:00.29, earning the 25^th seed in the event. The Springfield, Va. native will also be listed as an optional entry in the 200 breast.

Won recorded NCAA "B" cut times in both events at the CAA Championships last week. She established a new school record in the 100 with a time of 1:00.29 to finish second. Her time of 2:13.60 in the 200 is a career-best and is the second-fastest time in school history. Won joins senior diver Kimberly Helfrich as the only members of the JMU swimming and diving team to ever reach the NCAA Championships.

"I am so excited with the success of this program over the past several years," JMU coach Samantha Smith said. "This very special group of women has achieved so many team and individual goals. These women are proud of each other and the alumni they represent. I think it shows every time they touch the water because something amazing happens."