Washington University’s Sara Taege Swims to All-America Honors on Day One of NCAA Division III Championships

RESULTS

Indianapolis, Ind., March 21, 2012 – Washington University in St. Louis freshman Sara Taege earned her first-career All-America honors with a seventh-place finish in the women’s 500-yard freestyle on the first day of the 2012 NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships on Wednesday at the Indianapolis Natatorium.

Taege swam a season-best time of 4:57.07 to win her preliminary heat of the 500 freestyle on Wednesday morning and advance to the championship final. In the final, she finished in seventh place with a time of 4:59.81. Taege, the lone women’s competitor for Washington U., became the 37th women’s All-American program history.

All three of the Washington U. men’s qualifiers were in action on Wednesday as well. Junior Brendan Morin posted a season-best time of 20.98 to finish 33rd in the 50 freestyle. Freshmen Zane Turpin and Luke Dobben both swam in the men’s 500 freestyle, finishing 32nd and 34th, respectively.

With Taege's seventh-place finish, Washington U. was tied for 14th in the women's team standings with 12 points. Day two of the championships is scheduled to get underway with preliminary heats at 10 a.m. (ET) on Thursday. Turpin and Taege will each swim in the 400 individual medley, while Morin is set to swim in the 100 butterfly. The finals of Thursday’s events are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. (ET).