Meghan Thiel Competes at USA Swimming Nationals

Dec. 2, 2007

WASHINGTON - American University senior Meghan Thiel competed in three events of the USA Swimming Championships this week, finishing as high as 18th in the 1650 free.

In the 500 free prelims Thursday, Thiel placed 40th in a time of 4:53.39. The events winner, Mary Descenza, finished the course in a time of 4:41.93.

Thiel also swam in the 200 free prelim on Friday, finishing in 77th place with a time of 1:51.70. Kara Lynn Joyce won the prelim with a time of 1:45.84.

Thiel's best placement came Saturday in the 1650 free prelim. The two-time Patriot League Swimmer of the Meet placed 18th with a time of 16:41.50 while the winner, Alyssa Anderson, swam a 15:58.73.

Thiel set new season-bests in all three events. In the 200 free, Thiel bested her previous time by over one second. Thiel's 500 free time was more than six seconds better than her previous season-best and her 1650 free time was a full 24 seconds better than her previous time.