March 1, 2008
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- A fifth-place finish by Natalie Albertson (Fr., St. Paul, Minn.) in the 400 individual medley highlighted another strong day by the Navy women's swimming and diving team Saturday at the ECAC Open Championship. The Midshipmen stand in ninth place with 125 points after the day two of the three-day meet being held at Trees Pool on the Pittsburgh campus.
"Natalie had a terrific day," said Navy head coach John Morrison. "She had a very good swim to make it to the evening session, then held her seed from the morning and slightly improved upon her time at night."
Albertson posted a time of 4:36.88 during the morning trial heats of the 400 IM, then recorded a 4:36.95 in the championship final of the event. Both times were just slightly behind her clocking of 4:34.26 one week ago when she placed fourth in the 400 IM at the Patriot League Championship.
Albertson had placed seventh in the 200 individual medley Friday night.
Teammate Tessa Snow (Fr., Hamlin, N.Y.) joined Albertson in competing in an individual event final for the second time in as many nights. She placed forth in the consolation final of the 200 IM Friday, then came back to place eighth in the consolation final of the 100 breaststroke Saturday. Snow was clocked in a time of 1:10.47 Saturday night.
Navy's relay teams also had a pair of great showings Saturday. The night began with the 200 medley relay team placing third in the consolation final and ended with the Mids placing sixth in the timed final of the 800 freestyle relay.
"Our relays have enjoyed two good nights at the meet," said Morrison. "They have really helped us score some points against some of the best programs on the East Coast.
"It has been a very good meet for us, so far, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead of us Sunday."
Navy Results
200 Medley Relay
Prelims -- Navy, 14th, 1:54.72 (Natalie Albertson, Allison Aichele, Tessa Snow, Rachel Gray)
Consolation Final -- Navy, 3rd (11th), 1:53.41 (Albertson, Aichele, Snow, Gray)
400 Individual Medley
Prelims -- Natalie Albertson, 5th, 4:36.88; Clare McKenna, 27th, 4:49.88
Championship Final -- Albertson, fifth, 4:36.95
100 Butterfly
Prelims -- Cate Sheerin, 25th, 1:00.93
200 Freestyle
Prelims -- Lauren Milliron, 20th, 1:57.54; Alli Warwick, 29th, 2:02.78
100 Breaststroke
Prelims -- Tessa Snow, 13th, 1:09.58; Allison Aichele, 17th, 1:10.59; Rachel Gray, 25th, 1:12.04
Consolation Final -- Snow, 8th (16th), 1:10.47
800 Freestyle Relay
Timed Final -- Navy, 6th, 7:57.94 (Clare McKenna, Lauren Milliron, Snow, Albertson)
