University of Georgia Athletics
Women's Swimming Takes Home Fifth At NCAA Championships
March 10, 2007 | Swimming & Diving
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Kara Lynn Joyce was crowned champion in the 100 freestyle for the fourth-consecutive year to help the Bulldogs to a fifth-place finish at the 2007 NCAA Championships.
“Kara Lynn was special when she walked on campus and is even more special now,” said head coach Jack Bauerle. “I couldn’t be more proud of what she’s accomplished. She is so special in every way. She represents Georgia both here and abroad in the most positive manner. You can coach a lifetime and never have as special a kid as she is.”
Joyce’s time of 47.24 not only set a new pool record at the University Aquatic Center, but it also moved her ahead of Maritza Correia for the fastest time in Georgia history. With 18 national titles, Joyce becomes the second-most decorated swimmer in NCAA history just one shy of Stanford’s Jenny Thompson. In addition, Joyce joins California’s Natalie Coughlin as only the second swimmer in NCAA women’s history to win four consecutive titles in two events.
Along with Joyce, a host of other Bulldogs found themselves podium-bound on the final night of competition.
Claire Maust capped off her four-year career at Georgia with a stellar performance awarding her eighth place in the 1650 freestyle. Maust’s time of 16:12.65 was almost 15 seconds faster than her championship qualifying time and moved her into the No. 5 position on Georgia’s Top 10.
Following Maust with another solid effort for the Bulldogs was Aleksandra Putra who collected third-place honors in the 200 backstroke with a time of 1:53.71. Putra bettered her previous time of 1:54.59 set at last year’s NCAA championships. She remains No. 2 on Georgia’s Top 10 annals in the event.
Joining Joyce in the championship final of the 100 freestyle was Jessica Cole who brought home eighth-place honors for the Bulldogs with a time of 49.53. Next up in the pool for Georgia was Melissa Klein. Klein’s 200 breaststroke time of 2:12.73 placed her 12th in the event.
In the final event of the 2007 championships, the 400 freestyle relay team of Cole, Anna Miller, Kelly McNichols and Joyce teamed together for another thrilling finishing placing third with a time of 3:14.31.
Appearing in preliminary action for the Bulldogs was McNichols, Mhyria Miller, Karen Guilkey and Elizabeth Hill. McNichols finished 40th in the 100 freestyle (50.12) and Miller 22nd in the 200 breaststroke (2:14.94). Guilkey and Hill both represented Georgia in the 200 butterfly with Guilkey placing 26th (1:59.91) followed directly by Hill in 27th (1:59.95).
“I can’t be more proud of this team,” Bauerle said. “This is as hard fought a battle as we have ever had to make. We got everything we could have asked for. This was a great championship for the kids. Aleksandra (Putra) and Melissa (Klein) had great performances today. I am happy for our coaching staff, and I am elated to be in this position.”
With the fifth-place finish, Georgia has now been in the top five at the national championships for 11 consecutive years.
2007 NCAA Championships – Day 3
Final Team Standings
1. Auburn 535
2. Arizona 477
3. California 372.5
4. Stanford 333
5. GEORGIA 290
Final Results
1650 freestyle
8. Claire Maust 16:12.65
200 backstroke
3. Aleksandra Putra 1:53.71
100 freestyle
1. Kara Lynn Joyce 47.24
8. Jessica Cole 49.53
40. Kelly McNichols 50.12
200 breaststroke
4. Melissa Klein 2:12.73
22. Mhyria Miller 2:14.94
200 butterfly
26. Karen Guilkey 1:59.91
27. Elizabeth Hill 1:59.95
400 freestyle relay
3. Georgia (Cole, A. Miller, McNichols, Joyce) 3:14.31
Quotes from Kara Lynn Joyce
On her career:
“It’s been a great four years. I couldn’t imagine doing it anywhere else. I have accomplished things I never would have expected. I am sad it’s over. I am going to be training at Georgia with those girls and supporting them for the next couple of years.”
On coming close to setting the all-time NCAA championships record:
“It means a lot. Jenny is am amazing person and it’s great to be up there with all those great names. It’s okay that I didn’t get it. It’s all right with me.”
