Marshall University Athletics
Sirena Rowe Invited to NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships
3/1/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Official Psych Sheet
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall swimmer Sirena Rowe has been invited to compete at the 2017 NCAA Championships from March 15-18, inside the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis, Indiana, announced on Wednesday.
The freshman qualified in the 50 free, posting a school record time of 22.08 in a time trail during the 2017 Conference USA Championships. Rowe's time ranks 24th in the NCAA and was the fastest time in C-USA this season.
The Charlotte, N.C., native will also compete in the 100 backstroke and 100 freestyle, seeded 61st in both of the events. Rowe's top times in the events came at the C-USA Championship, as she swam 49.53 in the 100 free and 53.67 in the 100 back.
"This is such an honor for Sirena, and really the whole Marshall nation," head coach Bill Tramel said. "To get an invitation to compete in the national championship tournament is quite a feat. Top to bottom, this is comparable to the Olympic Games from a competitive stand point. There will be many Olympians competing in this meet, including Katie Ledecky, who won four gold medals in the Rio Olympics for the USA. It's an elite competition, special, for only a select few. Sirena is one of them, and she'll be representing Marshall University with pride."
Rowe is the first Marshall swimmer to be invited to the NCAA Championships since Milla Kuurto in 2005. Rowe will be one of three swimmers from Conference USA. She will be joined by Rice's Marie-Claire Schillinger and FIU's Letizia Bertelli.
Rowe will first compete in the 50 free on Thursday, March 16. She will be back in the pool on Friday for the 100 backstroke. The 100 free will take place on Saturday. Rowe will need to place in the top 16 to advance to the scoring finals.
ESPN3.com will stream the championship final sessions live on Friday and Saturday. Wednesday's evening session, Thursday's sessions along with the morning sessions on Friday and Saturday will be streamed live on NCAA.com and indianasportscorp.org/ncaasd.
