March 15, 2001

CANTON, Ohio - Kari Kopecky of the South Dakota Swimming and Diving Team has continued her outstanding freshman season by claiming a fourth place finish in the 50-yard freestyle event at the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships in Canton, Ohio. The championships run from March 14-17.

Kopecky, of Warroad, Minn., won her first all-American honors as she swam a 24.01, which is the second best 50-yard freestyle time in South Dakota school history. Only Kopecky's 23.90 in a time trial of the 200-yard freestyle relay at the NCC championships is faster. Drury University's Megan Krueger won the 50-yard freestyle (23.31) with Bryna R. Busch of Truman State, second (23.67) and Sara A. Hatcher of Truman State, third (23.78).

Named the North Central Conference Freshman of the Year in February, Kopecky will also compete in the 100 freestyle trials at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. The 100-yard freestyle finals will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

The performance by Kopecky places South Dakota 20th in team points with 14.50 after two days of competition. Drury University leads the competition with 343 points while Truman State has 321 points and North Dakota, 181.50 points.

South Dakota senior David Nelson of Baudette, Minn., will compete in the 100-yard and 200-yard breaststroke events on Friday and Saturday. The 100-yard breaststroke trials will be held on Friday morning with finals set for 6 p.m. on Friday night. The 200-yard breaststroke trials will be held at 10:30 a.m. and the finals will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday.