COLUMBUS, Ohio.? The 400-freestyle relay squad broke its own school record and senior diver Kari Retrum notched another All-America honorable mention distinction to wrap up the 2008 NCAA Championships for the University of Kentucky. The Wildcats placed 18th overall and scored 54 points over the course of the three day event.
Kentucky?s 400-free relay team eclipsed its own school record set at the 2008 SEC Championships with a 3:18.26 time in the preliminary heat, and again with a 3:18.81 time in their 15th place finals race. The record was set at 3:19.39 by the same quartet: Heather Bradford, Jenny Bradford, Megan Pulskamp and Lauren Willis.
Heather Bradford got things started with a split time of 49.80, with Jenny Bradford taking the second leg in a time of 48.49. Sophomore Megan Pulskamp took the third leg clocking a time of 49.72. Senior Lauren Willis swam the final leg and tapped in a time of 50.80 for the 3:18.81 time. The four swimmers automatically earn All-America honorable mention honors for their top-16 finish. It is the third consecutive season a UK 400-free relay team has earned top-16 honors.
Retrum tallied her second straight All-America honorable mention honors on the platform event with a 14th place showing in today?s event. Retrum scored 226.65 points in the consolation round of the event after qualifying this morning with a score of 230.55. Retrum?s feat is even more impressive as she only dives from the five-meter platform due to a shoulder injury. Most divers jump from the eight or ten-meter board. Retrum placed 11th overall in the event as a junior. Earlier this week she earned her first career All-America honors when she placed sixth overall on the one-meter springboard ending her stellar career.
Jenny Bradford and Lindsay Myhre were the lone individuals in participation this morning. Myhre took 50th in the 200-breast with a time of 2:22.32, the first time in her career she competed in the longer breaststroke event. Bradford placed 24th in the 100-free with a season-best time of 49.03.
Today?s final portion of the 2008 NCAA Championships concludes the season for the Blue and White. The Wildcats enjoyed another outstanding season, taking 18th in the national event and fifth at the conference meet. The Wildcats broke three UK varsity records in 2008, including the 200- and 400-free relay and the 50-free.
Complete coverage of the UK swimming and diving team can be found by visiting www.ukathletics.com.
