July 7, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – On the first day of the 2009 ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships senior Megan Pulskamp recorded a top-20 finish in the 100-butterfly after securing a spot in the “C” final during a swim-off.

Pulskamp competed in the 100-butterfly and tied for 25th in the time trials with a clip of 1:01.03. The time bettered her seeded time of 1:01.05. With the tie, Pulskamp was enlisted in a swim-off for the 25th spot. In that race, Pulskamp came through with a new lifetime best swim of 1:00.89.

But, in the finals is where she really shined. After earning the final bid for the evening’s final races, Pulskamp came out with a third place finish in her heat good for 19th overall in the 100-fly. Pulskamp tapped in a time of 1:00.26 exceeding her previous best marks she set earlier in the day. She was merely 0.39 of a second behind the first place finisher in the “C’ heat.

Junior Tyler Reed was the other Wildcat in the water today. Reed also scored a personal-best time with his 400-freestyle swim of 4:03.42. He placed 51st overall in the event that includes swimmers from all levels of competition–including US National Team members. Reed bested his seeding time of 4:21.26 in a dramatic climb.

The Wildcats will have three swimmers among the field during day two of the national meet as swimmers compete for a roster spot on the World Championship squads. Reed will be joined by senior Kyle Greene in the 200-free. Junior Chatham Penrod will take to the blocks in the 100-backstroke.

Stay tuned to UKathletics.com for complete up-to-date information regarding the Kentucky swimming and diving teams.