MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. 3/19/10 – Keene State College's
Kristine Trutor added another milestone to her
record-setting swimming career by becoming the first women at the
school to earn All-America honors in an individual event, Friday
night at the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships at
the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.
Trutor, a senior from Holden, Mass. finished fourth in 100
backstroke finals with a time of 56.35 to earn
All-America honors. “I really can't put it into words,
I'm so excited,” said Trutor. “It's nice to
see all my hard work pay-off.”
“We had a hint that Krissy would have a good race based on
her time in the relay,” said KSC Coach Jack
Fabian. “She went out and held her position and
showed she deserved to be with the top athletes in the
country.”
Trutor earned a spot in Friday night's final by finishing
third in the preliminary race with a school record time of
56.23.
Earlier in the day, sophomore Jillian Whitaker
(Gilford, N.H) placed 25th in the 100 breastroke with a time of
1:06.84.
Trutor, who became the first Owl women to score at the nationals
last year, wouldn't be denied her place in Keene State
athletic history. On Wednesday, she teamed with fellow senior
Alea Paddock (Newbury, N.H.), freshman
Kaila Umbarger (Chelmsford, Mass.), and sophomore
Jillian Whitaker (Gilford, N.H.), to become the
first KSC women swim All-Americas with their eighth place finish
(1:46.48) in the 200-yard medley relay.
Trutor overcame a shoulder injury as a freshman to become a
stalwart of the program the past three years. “She
broke down a lot of doors for future Keene State swimmers,”
said Fabian.
Through 29 events, Emory leads Denison University 371.5- 346 for
the women's championship. Keene State is 12th with 67
points.
Keene State swimmers will be busy in Saturday's final day
of competition. Umbarger and Whitaker will swim in the
women's 100 free. Senior Cody
Larrimore competes in the men's 100 free. Trutor
will swim in the 200 back. The KSC women will also have an
entry in the 400 free relay.
