BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Simon Fraser University swimmer Mariya Chekanovych (Burnaby, B.C.) won the NCAA National Championship in the 100-metre breaststroke on Friday, posting a new NCAA record time of 1:01.50.
"There's something about her consistency," said head coach Liam Donnelly. "She has been at her best this season when we are in high pressure situations, like in our dual against UCLA. I'm pleased that she put forth her strongest effort when it counted most and to set an NCAA record as a freshman is a nice accomplishment."
It is the first championship in the NCAA in any sport for SFU since the Clan became official members of the NCAA last summer, and the first NCAA National Championship ever won by an athlete representing an international institution in the NCAA.
"I'm incredibly proud of Mariya's victory," said Senior Director of Athletics and Recreation Milton Richards. "It's a historic win for SFU and for Canada. Our athletes are excelling in their first year of competition as the first international institution to be a full member of the NCAA and they are consistently showing that they able to compete with the very best."
Chekanovych's time was just 0.35 seconds better than the second place swimmer Kayla Scott from Wayne State.
She entered the competition as the top ranked swimmer in the NCAA in that event and did not disappoint, posting the top qualifying time of the meet at 1:01.96 and then winning in the final.
Also on Friday Kristine Lawson (Coquitlam, B.C.) finished 16th in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 57.13 while in the 200-yard butterfly, Carmen Nam (Hong Kong, China) finished second in the consolation final, 10th overall, with a time of 2:02.62.
The Clan closed out the day with a 14th-place finish in the 800-yard freestyle relay in a time of 7:49.44. The team was made up of Schofield, Cossey, Nam and Jordyn Konrad (Salmon Arm, B.C.).
Going into the final day of the championship on Saturday, the Clan sit in ninth place in the overall standings out of 30 teams, despite only having six swimmers in the competition.
