INDIANAPOLIS – The Delta State University swimming and diving teams had 18 student-athletes chosen by the NCAA to participate in its championship event, scheduled to take place March 8-11 at the Birmingham Crossplex in Birmingham, Ala.
 
DSU also has seven (four men, three women) divers that have achieved the NCAA qualifying standard, allowing them to participate in the prequalifying meet on Tuesday, March 7. The top 16 divers qualify for the NCAA Championships.
 
"We are very proud of the accomplishments of these student-athletes, and look forward to preparing them for the highest level of competition this season," DSU head coach Dan'l Murray said.
 
Participants are selected based on required qualification times/scores in each event.
 
The Statesmen swimmers had eight student-athletes earn invitations, which is tied for fourth most in NCAA Division II, while the Lady Statesmen are scheduled to send 10 swimmers to the championships, which is tied for third most at the meet.
 
All four Statesmen divers (William Ashwell, Nic Martin, Eli McBride and Kyle Weesner) achieved the NCAA qualifying standard, while three Lady Statesmen (Kenzie Blomquist, Hailey Leonard and Casey Moore) will also compete at the prequalifying meet. Ashwell, Martin and McBride competed at the 2016 prequalifying meet, while Leonard competed at the 2015 edition.
 
Melanie Tombers, a 10-time NCAA All-American is seeded first in the 400-IM (4:17.01). She is also seeded sixth in the 1000-Freestyle (10:00.06), eighth in the 200-Breaststroke (2:14.83) and ninth in the 200-Butterfly (2:02.07).
 
Nine-time NCAA All-American Anastasia Klyarovskaya is currently ranked second in the 200-Backstroke (1:57.19), and seventh in the 100 (54.92).
 
2017 NSISC Champion Caroline Jouisse is seeded third in the 500-Freestyle (4:50.61), fourth in the 1000-Freestyle (9:58.91) and fifth in the 1650-Freestyle (16:48.22).
 
After a narrow second place finish to Jouisse at the NSISC Championships, newcomer Gaby Santis is ranked fourth in the 500-Freestyle (4:50.62). Santis, who broke the NSISC/school record in the 200-Freestyle, is ranked seventh in the event with a 1:48.93.
 
The Lady Statesmen are ranked fourth in the 800-Freestyle relay (7:23.39), seventh in the 400-Freestyle relay (3:24.72), eighth in the 200-Medley relay and ninth in the 400-Medley relay.
 
After finishing in second place at the 2016 championships in the 100 and 200-Breaststroke, Alex Peach ranks second in the 200, with a time of 1:55.30.
 
Mattia Schirru, who claimed NSISC Championships in the 100 and 200-Freestyle, will compete in the 100-Freestyle, in which he seeded second with a 43.35, and the 200-Freestyle where he holds the 12th fastest time (1:37.23).
 
Matteo Fraschi, who is the reigning NSISC champion in the 100 and 200-Breaststroke, ranks third in the 100 (53.58) and sixth in the 200 (1:56.88).
 
In an impressive feat, DSU has six student-athletes who are scheduled to compete in the meet for the fourth time (Chloe Bennett, Anastasia Klyarovskaya, Kierstin Page, Melanie Tombers, Matteo Fraschi and Fabrice Wendel).
 
"This group represents the best qualities of our university and its swimming/diving program. Our student-athletes will have a very strong sense of pride in representing Delta State and Cleveland at the national championships," Murray added.
 
WOMEN'S TEAM:
 
Celina Batsel (200-Freestyle)
 
Chloe Bennett (50-Freestyle, 100-Freestyle)
 
Hannah Hummer (100-Butterfly)
 
Abigail Isom (1650-Freestyle)
 
Caroline Jouisse (500-Freestyle, 1000-Freestyle, 1650-Freestyle)
 
Anastasia Klyarovskaya (100-Backstroke, 200-Backstroke)
 
Kierstin Page (400-IM, 200-Backstroke)
 
Gaby Santis (200-Freestyle, 500-Freestyle, 1000-Freestyle)
 
Kirsten Stroven (100-Breaststroke)
 
Melanie Tombers (200-Butterfly, 200-Breaststroke, 400-IM, 1000-Freestyle)
 
MEN'S TEAM:
 
Adam Charlton (200-Butterfly)
 
Matteo Fraschi (200-IM, 100-Breaststroke, 200-Breaststroke)
 
Cody Lavoie (200-IM, 400-IM)
 
Gabriel Miranda (200-Freestyle)
 
Alex Peach (100-Breaststroke, 200-Breaststroke)
 
Nathan Sawicki (1000-Freestyle, 1650-Freestyle)
 
Mattia Schirru (50-Freestyle, 100-Freestyle, 200-Freestyle)
 
Fabrice Wendel (100-Freestyle)