ECU Swim Team Sets 12 Records at Nike Cup

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The East Carolina swim and dive teams set 12 new records during the Nike Cup held this past weekend, Nov. 15-17, at UNC Chapel Hill. The men finished fifth in the meet, while the women were sixth.

Freshman Diane Parker broke five records and qualified for the NCAA "B" cut. The NCAA "B" cut means that Parker has not automatically qualified for the NCAA championship meet, but depending on the number of swimmers who qualify under the "A" cut, her time may be high enough to qualify her.

Parker set freshmen and varsity records in both the 200 IM (2:03.18) and the 100 butterfly (55.7). Both times qualified under the "B" cut which is 2:04.68 for the 200 IM and 56.17 for the 100 butterfly. Parker also set a new varsity record in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:04.00.

Fellow freshman Martha Snead set a new freshman record in the 50 freestyle (24.1), while senior Courtney Foster broke the five-year standing 50 freestyle record (23.90) and her own 100 freestyle record (51.70).

"This was probably the fastest meet in the country so far. There were a lot of top teams who were competing at the Nike Cup," said Head Coach Rick Kobe. "For us to come into it unrested and come out with our best finish ever says a lot about our team. I think we'll see several of these times ranked nationally in the top 25 soon."

The Pirates will have the holiday weekend off before hosting in-state rival Duke on December 1 in the Minges Aquatic Center. The meet is slated for 1 p.m.