March 17, 2007

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Lewis University swimmers Adam Brown and Michael Lapustin swam to All-America status in three events during the Flyers second day of competition at the NCAA Division II championships.

Brown, who claimed his first-ever All-America honor during the first day at nationals, turned in two more All-America performances during day two. He finished eighth in the 500 freestyle (4:37.16) for an outright All-America and received All-America honorable mention and Lewis record time in the 200 butterfly (1:53.59).

Lapustin collected the sixth All-America honor of his career with a fourth-place run in the 100 backstroke (50.54). His fourth-place finish was the highest ever for a Lewis swimmer at nationals, topping Brown's fifth-place swim during day one.

In addition to Brown and Lapustin, Stephanie White-Olson competed in the preliminaries of the 100 breaststroke and Jared Zimmer raced in the preliminaries of the 500 freestyle.

Through their first two days of competition at the championships, the Flyers have earned three All-America honors and three honorable mention All-America honors. The Lewis men sit in 15th place overall. Last year's 22nd place team finish was the highest ever for the Flyers.

"Through tonight's finals' swims, we have earned points in six of our eight swims," head coach Steve Thompson said. "We are getting quality performances from each of our swimmers, and I am proud of their efforts. It is exciting to see that Michael is still improving in our program as a senior, and that he has distinguished himself as one of the top backstroke swimmers in the country. I am excited for his 200 backstroke, which is a stronger event for him, tomorrow.

"Stephanie, Adam, and Jared, are gaining valuable experience in their first NCAA Championships. Adam did a great job of positioning himself in tonight's finals for the 500 free and the consolation finals for the 200 fly. Doing both events in the same session is a very difficult task, and I am guessing that he was the only swimmer in the meet to perform both. The fact that he earned All-America recognition in both events is even more impressive. Specifically with these three of these athletes, however, we are looking for ways to improve their performances so we can come back to the NCAA DII Championships next year as a more experienced team.

"Nonetheless, our goal for tomorrow is to continue to get as many points as we can for Lewis University. Our men have a great opportunity to finish in the top 15 for the first time in the program's history, but we will have a tough battle with several teams to hold our position. Needless to say, I am confident we can continue to get strong contributions from all of our swimmers, and I am looking forward to competing tomorrow."