March 7, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina junior swimmer Amanda Rutqvist will make her third straight appearance at the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, the NCAA announced Wednesday with the release of the official psych sheet.

Rutqvist is one of 322 participants (281 swimmers and 41 divers) who will compete at the championships, which will be held March 21-23 at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis, Ind.

“We are excited about the opportunity for Amanda to represent South Carolina for the third year in a row at the NCAA Championships,” South Carolina head coach McGee Moody said. “She again has the opportunity to race against some of the best swimmers in the world. I know she will represent us well.”

Rutqvist will swim in the 100 and 200 breaststroke events at the championships. A native of Gothenburg, Sweden, Rutqvist has the 20th fastest time in the country in the 200 breaststroke with a mark of 2:09.97. She finished eighth at the event at the SEC Championships two weeks ago. Rutqvist, who is the school record holder (2:07.86), has earned All-America honors in the event at the previous two NCAA Championships, including a fifth-place showing in 2011. She has the 45th fastest time in the nation in the 100 breaststroke with a mark of 1:00.80. Rutqvist finished 16th in the event at the 2011 NCAA Championships and 33rd last season.

The Gamecock divers will get their chance to qualify for the meet at the NCAA Zone B Diving Championships on March 11-13 in Knoxville, Tenn. The men’s NCAA Championships field will be announced on March 13.