Nov. 16, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Navy women's swimming & diving freshman Tara Chapmon (Virginia Beach, Va.) posted the second-fastest 500-yard freestyle time in school history to lead the Midshipmen to an 82-point, sixth-place effort during the opening day of the Terrapin Cup Invitational at Maryland's Campus Recreation Center Natatorium on Thursday.
"We had some good, solid performances going against some big-time opposition," stated Navy head coach John Morrison. "I'm real proud of how the team stepped up and produced some really good times in a strong, fast environment."
During the morning prelims, Chapmon posted a time of 4:57.21 to finish eighth and qualify for the evening championship. Her preliminary round time was the second fastest in program history before she topped her mark with a 4:56.70 clocking to place fifth and establish a new second-best time in school history. The freshman's effort during the finals was only 1.81 seconds off the school record held by Jenn Windstein in the 2003 Patriot League Championship.
"Tara had two great swims today," said Morrison. "She really competed well and is doing some great things right now."
The Midshipmen also benefited from a strong showing by their 200-yard freestyle relay unit that placed fourth to claim 30 points. The group of Thuy-Mi Dinh (Anaheim, Calif.), Mallory Dietrich (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Kelly Zahalka (Richmond, Va.) and Sara Dorenkott (Hudson, Ohio) combined to record a time of 1:35.39, finishing 1.74 seconds behind event-champion West Virginia's 1:33.75 showing.
Two Navy divers advanced to the finals on the three-meter board, combining for 25 points on Thursday night. Senior Rachel Walker (Katy, Texas) placed sixth with 225.75 points, immediately followed by junior Katie Griffin (Ellicott City, Md.) in seventh place with her 220.40 points.
In addition to swimming the third-leg of the 200-yard freestyle relay, Zahalka also chipped in with 13 points in the 200-yard individual medley. The sophomore registered a time of 2:06.99 to finish sixth during the finals after qualifying with a season-best 2:06.28 clocking in the morning.
Sophomore Jennie Spencer (Smithburg, W. Va.) joined Zahalka in the 200-yard individual medley, competing in the non-scoring consolation finals. Spencer completed the race in 2:08.71 to finish fourth in the heat after posting a 2:08.98 effort during the prelims.
Dorenkott also advanced to the bonus finals heat in the 50-yard freestyle, where she produced a time of 24.30 seconds. The freshman qualified for the evening's action with a 24.20-second showing during her first-collegiate race in the event.
The second day of the three-day Terrapin Cup Invitational will begin tomorrow at 10 a.m. with the prelims, to be followed by the event finals at 6 p.m.
