Senior diver Lyndsey Havens finished 11th and earned All-American honors on the one-meter springboard at the Women’s NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship in Minneapolis, Minn., today. In the swimming competition junior All-American Christy Williams set a new school record in the 200-Individual Medley.

Haven’s advanced to the one-meter consolation final after finishing 15th in the preliminary session with a score of 307.40. She moved up to 11th in the event finals, earning a final score of 330.30. This was Haven’s first NCAA appearance as well as the final competition of her career. Havens earned six points for South Carolina, the first points earned for the Gamecocks at the meet.

“This is huge for Lyndsey on several levels: this was her first NCAA appearance, she was one of the last girls to make it in. We didn’t even find out that she was going until Sunday night. She also suffered a serious shoulder injury at Zones, and still was able to come back and qualify,” Coach Todd Sherritt said. “This is huge moral victory for Lyndsey. She has really persevered. She is one of the hardest working athletes that I have ever coached. This should really give her a lot of satisfaction and make all the injuries that she has been through worth it.”

On the swimming side, junior Christy Williams recorded a personal best and new school record in 200-Individual Medley. Williams recorded a career best time of 2:01.86. Her time also surpassed her own time of 2:02.05 to break the school record in the 200-IM. Williams took over the school record in the event in February with her 12th place finish at the SEC Championships in Lexington, Ky. Unfortunately, Williams’ time did not advance to tonight’s finals.

Sophomore Sharntelle McLean also competed in the first day of competition. She finished 39th in the 50-freestyle with a time of 23.02. Georgia’s Kara Lynn Joyce had the fastest time in the 50-free at 21.79. McLean will not advance to finals, and thus has completed her participation in her first NCAA Championships.

Friday the Gamecocks will continue there effort to final and earn team points. Williams will compete in the 100-butterfly, and senior Lindsey Tiberio will make her first swim of the event in the 100-breaststroke. Senior diver Lyndsey Havens is scheduled to conclude her meet and her career on the three-meter springboard.