03/01/2008
Men's Swimming & Diving Moves to 6th at NEWMAC's; Jackson Sets New School Mark

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. 03/01/08  Clark University's Drew Jackson broke his own school record in the 100-yard backstroke on day two of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Championships held at MIT on Saturday.

The junior swimmer raced to a seventh place finish in the event with a time of 54.87, besting last years mark of 55.28.

Additionally, two relay teams broke into all-time top five status with their performances. Jackson led the team of Mike Smith, Dan Howard, Taylor Morono in the 200-yard medley relay, who earned sixth in 1:42.49, good for third all-time, while Jackson, Brian Walsh, Smith and Morono placed sixth in the 800-yard freestyle relay for a third all-time showing of 7:25.36.

Other top individual finishers were Smith and freshman Alex Donnenfeld with their 10th (1:03.15) and 13th (1:06.95) place finishes, respectively, in the 100-yard breaststroke. Junior Tim OKeefe was 14th in the 400-yard individual medley (4:40.64).

Clark moved from sixth place in the team standings with 173 points, leading Babson, in seventh, by three points (170).

The NEWMAC Championships will conclude on Sunday, with the prelims for the 200-yard backstroke, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard breaststroke, 200-yard butterfly, 400-yard freestyle relay and 1,650-yard freestyle commencing at 11:00 a.m. The three-meter diving trials will begin at 1:30 p.m., while the finals for all of the afternoons events will begin at 6:30 p.m.