Feb. 22, 2008

EAST MEADOW, N.Y.-- Four Panthers earn a seed in the finals for a chance at a Big East crown, as the competed in the prelims of the third day of competition in the conference championships held in Nassau County Aquatics Center.

Leading all qualifiers were senior Warren Barnes (Pickering, Ont./Dunbarton) and junior Adam Plutecki (Zielona Gora, Poland/Zielona Gora), who recorded NCAA `B' marks in the prelims of the 100 breast. Both advanced to the finals, as Barnes earned the second-best time at 54.20, while Plutecki is fourth overall at 54.66.

Barnes looks to improve upon his seventh-place performance in this event, last year.

Additionally, junior B.J. Conklyn (Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) will swim in the consolation heat of the 100 breast after posting a season best of 57.95.

Recording a top-three finish, freshman Andrzej Dubiel (Dzierzoniow, Poland/School of Sport Championships) turned in a 49.93 in the 100 back prelims for a third-place seed in the finals this evening.

Additionally, senior Steve Jackson (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area) will also swim the 100 back tonight, as the eighth seed in the consolation race.

In the 100 fly, junior Andrew Burkey (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area) won his heat of the prelims, which placed him 12th overall. He will be joined by sophomore Geoff Morgan (Cornwall, N.Y./Cornwall Central) in the consolation race.

Senior Jared Martin (Richmond, Va./Nova) garnered the sixth seed in the finals of the 400 IM with a time of 3:58.06, while freshman Alex McLaren (North Saanich, B.C./Stellys Secondary) recorded the final seed in the consolation heat of the 200 free with a 16th-place time of 1:42.56.

Swimming in the consolation heat of the 400 IM, junior Jonathan Buchanan (Beavercreek, Ohio/Beavercreek) and senior Chris George (Jacksonville, Fla./The Bolles School) turned in times of 3:59.73 and 4:03.21, respectively.

During the meet, several members of the squad turned in top 25 times, including junior Andrew Kyrejko (West Orange, N.J./The Montclair Kimberly Academy) in the 100 fly (50.98) and a personal best in the 200 free (1:42.89), junior Patrick Mansfield (Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade-Julienne) in the 200 free (1:44.11), McLaren in the 100 back (52.14) and freshman Matt Hersey (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) in the 100 back (53.31).

Also competing this morning, senior Scott Shearer (Allison Park, Pa./North Allegheny) finished at 1:46.48 in the 200 free.

Friday's finals include the 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast, 100 back, women's 3M diving and the 400 medley relay.

Coverage of the Big East Championships can be viewed at www.bigeast.org for a one-time fee of $9.95.