SHENANDOAH, TX. 3/22/13 – After placing eighth in yesterday's 200 free relay, Keene State College moved up four spots on the podium Friday night, finishing fourth and earning All-American honors in the 800 free relay at the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships at the Conroe Natatorium in Shenandoah Texas.
The foursome of juniors Drew Ledwith (Keene, N.H.) and Jared Hyde (Tolland, Conn.) and freshman Shahar Resman (Ashdod, Israel) and Cole Hogg (Manchester, N.H.) teamed up to finish the relay in a school record time of 6:36.65, shattering their previous mark (6:40.59) set at the NEISDA meet in February.
"We beat some of the giants like MIT and Emory," said KSC Coach Jack Fabian. "The guys were dropping time in other races, but I'd never thought we'd take four seconds off our record. Every felt good and swam their leg with confidence. "
Ledwith got things started, setting a school record (1:38.70) in his 200 opening leg. "I just wanted to stay up with the swimmers around me," he said. "Everyone stepped up and did their job."
Resman swam the second leg. "Drew had a terrific time and I just wanted to keep it going," Resman said. "The 200 is like a sprint for me."
"There was so much adrenaline," said Hogg, who swam the third leg. "We trained really hard prior to the meet, so I felt anything was possible."
Hyde brought the relay home, swimming the fourth and final leg.
The Owls shaved 13 seconds off their time from last year when they placed 16th in the event.
Johns Hopkins won the race with a Division III record time of 6:29.27.
Earlier in the day, Hogg placed 27th in the 200 fly with a school record time of 1:52.61.
On Saturday, Ledwith, who is seeded first in the event, will swim the 1,650 free. The Owls 400 free relay team will also be in action.
After three days and 29 events Keene State is in 14th place with 73 points. Kenyon leads Denison 355.5-308 for the team title.
