March 17, 2006

ATHENS, Ga. – South Carolina diver Allison Brennan just missed advancing to the finals of the 3-meter board at the Women’s NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships Friday as she finished ninth in the event with a score of 315.05. Brennan still garnered another All-America honor, bringing her career total to four.

“This has been a very tough meet and I think Allison just ran out of gas,” said head diving coach Todd Sherritt. “She went way over in her first dive and had some tactical errors that made the difference.”

Brennan was in eighth place going into her final dive but Auburn’s Corey Gerlach hit her dive just right and was able to pass Brennan.

Gerlach recorded a score of 316.65 to finish eighth and edged out Brennan, and Tania Cagnotto of Houston, who placed seventh finished with a score of 316.85.

“It is really tough because Allison has had such a great year,” said Sherritt. “This is the first event she has competed in this year that she did not final in and that is tough. She just ran out of gas.”

Junior Lindsey Tiberio recorded the Gamecocks highest finish in swimming as she swam 1:03.09 to finish 27th in the 100-breast. Sophomore Christy Williams swam the 100-butterfly and recorded a time of 55.01 to place 38th.

The Championships conclude Saturday and both Williams and Tiberio will have another chance to compete. Williams is scheduled to swim the 200-butterfly, while Tiberio is scheduled to swim in the 200-breast.

Brennan has concluded her NCAA Championship run and will now prepare for the U.S. Open coming up in April.