GREENSBORO, N.C. –– All four Navy qualifiers were in competition at the NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championship Friday in Greensboro, N.C.

Sydney Harrington (Jr., Fairfax, Va.) entered the meet seeded 34th in the 100 fly field, but won her heat this morning in a time of 52.22 to finish in a three-way tie for 18th place overall and the second alternate position.  The 16th and final spot in the consolation final was a time of 52.13.

Her 52.22 effort today ranks second in Navy history to her own school and Patriot League record of 52.12.  Harrington holds the Nos. 1 through 6 spots in the event at Navy.

"Sydney had an incredible race with her fastest time of the season," said Navy women's swimming head coach John Morrison.  "It was great preparation for her race Saturday, the 200 fly, which is her prime event."

Martina Thomas (Jr., Fayetteville, Ark.) began the championship seeded 21st in the 200 free.  She posted a time of 1:45.98 to finish seventh in her heat and 20th overall in today's preliminary round of swimming.  A time of 1:45.81 was needed to place 16th this morning and advance to this evening's consolation final.

Thomas has now posted the Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 (today's effort) times in the event in Navy history.

"Martina had a solid 500 freestyle Thursday, and took the lessons she learned from that race into the 200 freestyle today," said Morrison.  "She prepared herself very well and had a great race.  I am incredibly proud of her learning curve at this meet.  Today was her best finish in an event against this level of competition.  We are looking forward to her continued improvement."

Divers Meghan Gerdes (Sr., Spring, Texas) and Hannah Montau (Jr., Germantown, Md.) competed in the three-meter springboard event.  Gerdes totaled 270.30 points to place 30th and Montau accrued 246.50 points to finish in 42nd place.

"I was pretty pleased overall with how Meghan and Hannah performed today," said Navy diving coach Rich MacDonald.  "This meet can be stressful and intimidating, but I thought they handled it well.  They missed some dives, but also had some really good ones, too.  We are looking forward to the tower event tomorrow."

Harrington (200 fly), Gerdes (platform) and Montau (platform) will be back in action Saturday as the championship concludes.

Women's NCAA Championship Schedule (all times Eastern Daylight Time)
Thursday, March 18
500 Freestyle – Martina Thomas – 50th (4:50.09)
One-Meter Diving – Hannah Montau – 45th (231.60)
Friday, March 19
100 Butterfly – Sydney Harrington – T18th (52.22)
200 Freestyle – Martina Thomas – 20th (1:45.98)
Three-Meter Diving – Meghan Gerdes – 30th (270.30), Hannah Montau – 42nd (246.50)
Saturday, March 20 (10 a.m. swimming trials, 12:15 p.m. diving trials, 6 p.m. swimming and diving finals)
200 Butterfly – Sydney Harrington
Platform Diving – Meghan Gerdes, Hannah Montau