GREENSBORO, N.C. –– Sydney Harrington (Jr., Fairfax, Va.) became the second Navy and Patriot League women's swimmer to earn Honorable Mention All-America accolades on the Division I level when she placed eighth in the consolation final of the 200 butterfly event, Saturday at the NCAA Championship in Greensboro, N.C.

"It was such an amazing opportunity to represent Navy against some of the best swimmers in the country," said Harrington, who also qualified for the 2020 NCAA Championship that was canceled due to the COVID 19 pandemic.  "I had so much fun competing with my teammates this weekend.  I can't wait to do even better next year!"

Harrington advanced to the evening's consolation final in the event with her morning preliminary heat time of 1:55.36.  That effort, the No. 4 time in school history, placed her 14th in the field.

"It was a very good morning for Sydney," said Navy women's swimming head coach John Morrison.  "One of the most difficult things to do at a meet with an elite level of competition is to make it through the preliminary heats.  Sydney did a nice job finding enough focus this morning to earn a lane tonight."

Harrington would go on to finish in eighth place in the consolation final with a time of 1:57.04.  That effort ranks ninth in school history, which gives her the Nos. 1 through 9 times at Navy.

"To make a final in your first trip to the NCAA Championship as Sydney did is an impressive feat," said Morrison.  "It was a special day for her to score points for Navy and be known as an All-American swimmer.  We all are very proud of her efforts, as well as those of the entire team that helped qualify four members for the championship."

The only other Mid to advance to the championship final in an event at this level (since the 1991-92 season) was Lauren Barber, who placed 16th in the 200 breaststroke at the 2019 national championship.

Also competing on the last day of the championship were divers Meghan Gerdes (Sr., Spring, Texas) and Hannah Montau (Jr., Germantown, Md.).  Gerdes scored 209.75 points to place 37th in platform diving and Montau posted a score of 193.65 points to finish in 42nd place in the event.

"We are extremely proud of the efforts of Sydney, Meghan, Hannah and Martina Thomas (Jr., Fayetteville, Ark.) this weekend," said Morrison. "They all qualified for last year's championship that was canceled.  It was great to see them qualify again this year during such an abnormal season.  They each represented their teammates, our program and the Naval Academy with tremendous pride."

Women's NCAA Championship Results
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
200 Butterfly – Sydney Harrington – Prelims: 14th (1:55.36) / Consolation Final: 8th (1:57.04)
Platform Diving – Meghan Gerdes - 37th (209.75), Hannah Montau - 42nd (193.65)