March 16, 2006

Complete Results

ATHENS, Ga. - The No. 3 California women's swimming team posted four top-10 finishes in the finals of Day 1 in the 2006 NCAA Championships at the University of Georgia's Gabrielsen Natatorium. Junior Erin Reilly led the Golden Bears with a third-place showing in the 500-yard freestyle. Reilly, who was recently named Pac-10 Swimmer of the Month for February, clocked a 4:41.84.

The Golden Bears are in fifth place after the first day of competition with 79 points. Arizona is in first (161), followed by Auburn (151), defending national champion Georgia (147) and Stanford (82).

Just behind Reilly in the 500 free was senior Ashley Chandler, who finished eighth (4:48.97). Both Reilly (4:41.51) and Chandler (4:41.52) swam lifetime best times in the prelims.

Sophomore Emily Silver clocked a 22.39 in the 50 free to finish sixth, notching a new lifetime best in the event. She was seeded eighth in the finals after posting a 22.44, previously her lifetime best, in the prelims.

The Bears recorded a season-best time of 3:34.10 in the 400 medley relay to finish fourth. Senior Helen Silver, freshman Jessica Hardy, Reilly and Emily Silver swam in the relay. Cal was seeded fourth going into the final.

Sophomore Rachel Ridgeway and Helen Silver competed in the consolation final of the 200 IM, with Ridgeway taking 12th (2:00.37) and Silver placing 15th (2:00.66).

Competition continues Friday and Saturday. Friday's event schedule is as follows: 200 medley relay, 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast, 100 back and 3-meter diving. Prelims are at 11 a.m. eastern time, and finals are at 7 p.m. eastern time. Live event coverage can be accessed at www.georgiadogs.com.

2006 NCAA Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Championships
Day One
University of Georgia - Gabrielsen Natatorium
Athens, Ga.
Thursday, March 18 - Finals Results
200 Freestyle Relay
1, Arizona (Courtney Cashion, Jenna Gresdal, Anna Turner, Lindsey Kelly), 1:27.98 (new NCAA, U.S. Open record)


500 Freestyle
1, Laura Conway, Georgia, 4:40.01 (new pool record)
3, Erin Reilly, California, 4:41.84.
8, Ashley Chandler, California, 4:48.97.

200 Individual Medley
1, Whitney Myers, Arizona, 1:54.88 (new pool record)
12, Rachel Ridgeway, California, 2:00.37
15, Helen Silver, California, 2:00.66


50 Freestyle
1, Kara Lynn Joyce, Georgia, 21.63 seconds (new NCAA record, old record 21.69)
6, Emily Silver, California, 22.39


1 Meter Diving
1, Blythe Hartley, Southern California, 353.50.


400 Medley Relay
1, Arizona (Jenna Gresdal, Erin Sieper, Whitney Myers, Lacey Mymeyer), 3:31.70 (new pool record).
3, California (Helen Silver, Jessica Hardy, Erin Reilly, Emily Silver), 3:34.10


Team Rankings (Day 1)
1. Arizona 161
2. Auburn 151
3. Georgia 147
4. Stanford 82
5. California 79
6. USC 78
7. Texas 54
8. Wisconsin 52
9. S. Methodist 50.5
10. Kentucky 50


Day 1 Preliminary results
50 freestyle
Emily Silver, 8th, 22.44


400 medley relay
California, 4th, 3:36.43
Lauren Rogers, Jessica Hardy, Leann Toomey, Emily Silver


500 freestyle
Erin Reilly, 2nd, 4:41.51
Ashley Chandler, 3rd, 4:41.52


200 IM
Rachel Ridgeway, 11th, 2:00.08
Helen Silver, 14th, 2:00.67


200 freestyle relay - DQ