April 2, 2008

MONTREAL, Quebec, Canada - Marshall swimmer Michaela Sceli's hopes of making the Canadian Olympic team are still alive as she finished eighth in her first swim at the Canadian National Championships on Wednesday.

Sceli swam in the 100-meter breaststroke Wednesday morning in a lifetime best time of 1:11.23. The LaSalle, Ontario native was seeded 16th coming in to the meet.

Sceli, who was the 2008 Conference USA Champion in the 100-yard breast, will compete in the finals tonight with a chance to make the national squad on the line.

"She had really bad turn and it cost her this morning," Marshall head coach Leonard Kraus said. "Not counting the turn she really had the third fastest 50 split of all the competitors. We are really excited about her swimming again tonight. She really feels confident about her chances as well."