University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Swimmers Rank With National Elite
12/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
STORRS, CT (Dec. 1) - University of Connecticut freshman Jacquelyn Craft holds the nation’s 12th best time in the 200 breaststroke to date and is amongst several high ranking Huskies in the latest national top times listing, compiled by Taper & Shave.
Craft’s time of 2:15.83 is believed to be the highest rank that a Husky has ever had on a national chart. She is the nation’s second-ranked freshman in the event, trailing only 10th place Leah Avilla of Texas who owns a season-best time of 2:15.50. Craft’s time in the 200 is also the mark in the top 50 amongst all BIG EAST Conference schools. Craft also ranks 30th overall with her top time of 1:03.83 in the 100 breaststroke and is a member of several high-ranking UConn relay teams.
Meanwhile, senior Dustin Rogers is 18th nationally in the 100 butterfly with his top time of 48.69 seconds. His is the only BIG EAST time to appear in the top 25. Rogers also ranks in the top 50 nationally with his 45.44 in the 100 freestyle.
Ryan Smith is listed in the national top 40 for both the women’s 100 and 200 backstroke events, including a place of 28th thus far in the 200 with a time of 2:01.06. On the men’s side, Bobby Folan is currently ranked 39th nationally in the 200 backstroke with a best time of 1:49.25 while Bill Monaghan cracked the national top 50 in the 500 freestyle, pulling in at number 45 with his time of 4:31.53.
Showing the depth of the two teams, most of UConn’s relay teams cracked the top 50 lists, led by the men’s and women’s 800 freestyle relay teams which both rank 19th nationally. The men boast of top time of 6:46.01 while the women have clocked in at 7:32.02, a time that presently ranks second in the BIG EAST. The men’s 400 freestyle relay team is also ranked in the top 25, checking in at number 21 with a time of 3:03.73, edging out 22nd place Pittsburgh for the BIG EAST’s top time so far this season. Meanwhile, seven other UConn relay squads appear in the top 50 times of the season nationally.
Selected members of the Husky swimming teams will compete this weekend at the elite U.S. Open in Seattle. The Huskies who will represent UConn in the USA Swimming organized event are Bobby Folan (200 backstroke), Lindsay Hansen (400 freestyle), Tristan Jones (50 freestyle), Cassie Novak (200 freestyle and 200 backstroke) and Rogers in the 100 and 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly). The men’s team will also field entrants in the 400 and 800 freestyle and 400 medley relays with Connor Murphy swimming as a part of those teams.
