Wanland impressive at national championships
August 06, 2010 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Aug. 6, 2010
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MADISON, Wis. -- Ashley Wanland saved her best for last Thursday night at the 2010 ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships in Irvine, Calif.
The rising junior from the Wisconsin women's swimming team raced her way to a win in the consolation final of the women's 100-meter breaststroke, and she did so in impressive fashion.
Wanland's performance placed her ninth overall in the event despite the fact that, at 1:08.42, she clocked the third-fastest time in the elite field. The mark was the fastest time by a collegian and positions Wanland for a potential Team USA berth for the upcoming World University Games.
A member of the USA Swimming Women's National Team for the 2009-10 season, Wanland moved up to No. 14 in the world with her performance.
Rebecca Soni, a 2008 Olympian, claimed the win in 1:05.73, followed by 2010 NCAA champion and collegiate record-holder Ann Chandler in 1:08.07. Auburn collegian Micah Lawrence finished third but was slighlty slower than Wanland at 1:08.48.
Among those Wanland out-clocked Thursday were former Olympian Amanda Beard (6th, 1:09.12) and world record-holder Jessica Hardy (7th, 1:09.24).
Also Thursday, junior-to-be Beckie Thompson scored a spot in the consolation final of the 50 freestyle and swam to a 16th-place finish. Thompson clocked in at 26.06 in the final after swimming the 11th-fastest time of the morning prelims at 25.87.
Teammate Maggie Meyer finished 29th overall with her prelims time of 26.34.
The championships continue through Saturday, with NBC providing coverage from 3-5 p.m. (CT) on Saturday and 3:30-5 p.m. on Sunday. In addition, Universal Sports will air the championships on a tape-delay basis, as well as online at universalsports.com.
