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Schmidt and Vehr will compete in the NCAA championships in Texas this weekend.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
OXFORD — A monumental season for Miami University women's swimming will be capped this weekend when senior Alyson Schmidt and sophomore Kelsey Vehr represent the RedHawks at the NCAA championships.
It's the first time in 15 years Miami will have two swimmers in the national meet, which is scheduled for today, March 19, through Saturday in College Station, Texas.
"I've never been on a team that was so focused, so wanting to win," said Schmidt, who qualified for the 50-, 100- and 200-yard freestyles. "It was an atmosphere of a team that couldn't be broken."
The RedHawks won their own invitational in December, won all but a couple of their dual meets and last month captured the Mid-American Conference championship, their 15th under coach Dave Jennings.
"Pretty much the whole team had their best times by significant amounts," said Vehr, who will swim at nationals in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes. "Everything kind of fell into place all year."
Vehr and Schmidt were just two of seven Miami swimmers to receive All-MAC recognition. Others were seniors Malarie Schmidt and Allison Stevens, junior Megan Brunn, sophomore Allison Way and freshman Sarah Radke.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.
