Newlon, Grissom lead DePauw swimmers on first day at NCAA

Women's Swimming

DePauw freshman Angela Newlon's ninth-place finish in the 500-yard freestyle highlighted the Tigers' opening day of competition at the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships at the IU Natatorium.

Newlon entered her first national championship meet, seeded first in the event and placed 12th in the prelims, but came back to win the consolation finals in 4:53.14 and earn honorable mention all-America.

During the morning prelims, Emily Weber was 17th in the 500 free in a personal best time of 5:00.62.

The Tigers' 200 medley relay of Kristen Olson, Caroline Bridges, Weber and Erin Horne placed 24th in 1:49.96.

Men's swimming

DePauw sophomore Alex Grissom and the 200-yard medley relay posted the Tigers' top performances during the opening day of competition at the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships at the IU Natatorium.

Grissom earned honorable mention all-America after finishing 16th in the 500-yard freestyle in 4:33.05. He finished the prelims in 4:32.76 which was nearly 2.5 seconds faster than his season best.

DePauw's 200 medley relay of Blake Lehmann, Matt Gleason, Casey Hooker and Jack Burgeson also earned honorable mention all-America after placing 11th in 1:31.17. That came after a 13th place showing in the prelims in 1:31.93.

In the morning session, Hooker finished 18th in the 500 free in 4:33.14, while Stephen McMurtry was 28th in 4:36.30. Alex Alfonso was 29th in the 200 individual medley in 1:52.56, while Lehmann was 33rd in the 50 free in 20.82 and Burgeson was 45th in 21.26.

Note: Although DePauw swimmers were also active in Thursday's second day of competition at the NCAA Championships, no recap was available at press time.