MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. 3/12/10 – Keene State College has its first women swimming All-Americas. 

The Owl 200-yard medley relay team of seniors Kristine Trutor (Holden, Mass.) and Alea Paddock (Newbury, N.H.), sophomore Jillian Whitaker (Gilford, N.H.), and freshman Kaila Umbarger (Chelmsford, Mass.) accomplished that feat with their eighth place finish (1:46.48)  in the event at the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships being held at the University of Minnesota. 

“I couldn't be any happier,” said KSC Coach Jack Fabian.  It's a great accomplishment for them as swimmers and a great milestone for the program.” 

The foursome made it into the finals by moving up from 11th to 5th spot with a Keene State record time of 1:45.49 in the preliminary race. 

Umbarger also earned honorable mention All-America recognition with her 11th place finish in the 50 freestyle (23.85).  She earned a spot in the evening session by finishing ninth (23.74) in the preliminaries. 

Seniors Cody Larimore (Trappe, Md.) and Jackie Foster (Goffstown, N.H.) also competed in preliminary races on Wednesday.  Larrimore placed 22nd in the 50 free (21.02) and Foster was 41st in the 500 free (5:08.83).

Through nine events, the Keene State women are tied for seventh placed with 28 points.

The Owls women will swim in two individual and two relays on Thursday.