03/20/2009
Garcia & Garr Compete at NCAA Swim & Dive Championships

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. 3/20/09 - Clark University's Eileen Garcia placed 20th on the 1-meter diving board in her final performance at the NCAA Division IIII swimming and diving championships , while Ryan Garr finished 31st in the 100-yard backstroke in his first day at nationals at the University of Minnesota's Aquatic Center in Minneapolis, Minn., on Friday afternoon.

Garcia and Garr, both freshmen, turned in solid performances in their first trip to the national stage.

While Garcia hoped for a better outcome on the 1-meter board, the New York, N.Y. native remained positive about the experience.

"It was one of my worst diving, but the one I'm most proud of," she said. "Just the experience of making it to nationals, in such an amazing atmosphere, was incredible."

Garcia concludes the year as an All-America after her eighth place finish on the 3-meter diving board on Wednesday, and boasts three new school standards.

Garr broke his own Clark record with his 31st place finish (52.01) in the 100-back. He will return to the pool on Saturday (11:30 a.m.) for the 200-yard backstroke, which he won at this year's conference championship. Garr, originally from Kingston, R.I., holds Clark marks in the 50-, 100-, and 200-yard backstroke.