March 26, 1998

AUBURN, Ala. – University of Kentucky sophomore Nat Lewis earned All-America honors in the 500 freestyle at the 1998 NCAA Men’s Swimming & Diving Championships on Thursday.

Lewis finished 10th in the consolation finals of the 500 freestyle, posting a time of 4:22.03. A sophomore from Cullowhee, N.C., Lewis finished ninth in the prelims of the event, less than five-tenths of a second behind the eighth-place finisher. The top eight placers in each event earn All-America honors, while finishers nine through 16 pick honorable mention All-America status.

Lewis earned honorable mention All-America honors in the 500 freestyle for the second straight year, after having finished 14th in the event at last year’s NCAA Championships.

Senior diver Paco Rivera picked up honorable mention All-America honors on the one-meter springboard for the third straight year, finishing 12th with a score of 484.45.

The NCAA Men’s Swimming & Diving Championships continue Friday at Auburn University’s Aquatics Center.