Bloomsburg Swimmers Prepare for NCAA Championships

BLOOMSBURG- Three Bloomsburg University swimmers have qualified for the NCAA Championships on March 8th-11th at Indiana University in Indianapolis. Travis Backenstoe (Walnutport/ Northampton) and Chris Rumfelt (Shamokin/ Shamokin) qualified for the men's team, while Dianna Smith (West Grove/ Avon Grove) qualified for the women.

Travis Backenstoe qualified in the 50-free in a time of 20.78 at the last chance qualifying meet at the University of Maryland. Earlier in the year, Backenstoe broke Stu Marvin's 27-year old school record in the 50-free at the Franklin & Marshall Invitational and also anchored the 200-free relay, 400-free relay and 800-free relay teams that broke school records at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championships. The 200-free and 800-free relay record dated back to 2001, while the 400-free relay dated back to 1978. Backenstoe is seeded 10th going into the event.

Rumfelt also qualified at the last chance meet in the 200-free with a time of 1:40.63. Rumfelt finished second in the event at the PSAC Championships and was also part of the relay teams with Backenstoe that set three new school records. Rumfelt will be seeded 8th in the 200-free.

"Travis and Chris both have accomplished so much in the past few years at Bloomsburg," said head coach R.J. Wojtylak. "Chris and Travis came to Bloomsburg with very little experience as they both started swimming in their junior year of high school. They now hold school records in four events each. Travis and Chris also have a very healthy competition in the 100-free, which they both will swim at nationals. Hopefully one of them can become a five-time school record holder as they are both trying to break the last school record held by Stu Marvin from 1978."

Dianna Smith qualified for the 200-free but will also swim in the 50-free and the 100-free at nationals. Smith qualified for the nationals in the 200-free with a time of 1:53.78 at a last chance qualifying meet at the University of Maryland on February 26th. In addition, Smith captured the PSAC Championship in the 200-free and had 15 first place finishes on the season. "I expect that she will be focused as this has been the reason for her success to this point." said women's head coach Dave Rider. "She is very competitive and has learned how to channel that competitive spirit into her focus. There is no doubt that she is capable of placing in this meet."

For tickets to the NCAA championships please call 317-788-3806.