March 25, 2008

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Sophomore Dominique Lendjel and junior Nicholas Walkotten prepare to represent South Carolina at the 2008 NCAA Men’s Swimming And Diving Championship, hosted by the University of Washington in Federal Way, Wash., at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center on March 27-29. Lendjel will compete in the 200 IM and 100- and 200-yard backstroke, while Walkotten will represent the Gamecocks in the 100- and 200-yard butterfly.

Lendjel, also an NCAA individual qualifier last year, prepares to compete in three events at this season’s event. Lendjel tallied Carolina’s top time of the season in the 200 IM (1:46.52) and 200 back (1:44.49). He hit both qualifying marks at the Alabama Classic in late November. Lendjel collected Honorable Mention All-America honors last season at the NCAA Championship in the 800 freestyle relay, while he was also Carolina’s top finisher in the 200 IM (33rd, 1:48.13).

Walkotten, a former All-American in the 200 fly, competes at his first NCAA Championship as a Gamecock. A transfer from Indiana University, Walkotten finished ninth in the 200 fly in the 2006 championship with a time of 1:44.62. A Hudsonville, Mich., native, Walkotten enjoyed a solid season for the Gamecocks in 2008. He collected Carolina’s top time in both the 100 (47.39) and 200 fly (1:43.83), clocked at the 2008 SEC Swimming and Diving Championship in late February. For his efforts, Walkotten broke the school record in the 200 fly, earning Carolina’s top finish at the conference championship.

Below is a schedule of events for both competitors:

Lendjel
200 IM – Thursday, prelims at 3 p.m. ET; finals at 10 p.m. ET
100 backstroke – Friday, prelims at 3 p.m. ET; finals at 10 p.m. ET
200 backstroke – Saturday, prelims at 3 p.m. ET; finals at 10 p.m. ET

Walkotten
100 butterfly – Friday, prelims at 3 p.m. ET; finals at 10 p.m. ET
200 butterfly – Saturday, prelims at 3 p.m. ET; finals at 10 p.m. ET