(Posted March 8, 2004)

Huntingdon, PA ? For the second time in her career Juniata College senior swimmer Kim Allen (Susquehanna Twp./Harrisburg) has earned a spot in the NCAA Championships. Allen will likely compete in three different events for the Eagles at the three-day Championships which will be held at Principia College in St. Peter?s Mo. March 11-13.

Allen provisionally qualified for the NCAA meet in both the 100 and 200-yard breaststroke events. Her best time of 2:25.14 has her seeded 16th in the field in the 200 breaststroke, while her top performance of 1:07.44 has her in the 24th seed in the 100 breast. Because she qualified for the two breaststroke events, Allen will also be allowed to compete in the 200-yard individual medley. The 200 IM will raced on Friday, March 11th, with the 100 breaststroke to follow on Saturday, and the 200 breaststroke on Sunday.

?Having her strongest race on the final day should be an advantage for Kim,? first-year swimming head coach Brian McGrath stated. ?She should be able to hopefully get comfortable and relaxed at the event the first two days, then really be in position for a great swim on Sunday. She is certainly capable of being an All-American again.?

Allen is the only swimming All-American in Juniata history. She earned that honor when she placed 11th at the NCAA Championships in the 200-yard breaststroke during her freshman season. Her time of 2:26.19 established a then school record and was good for second-team All-American honors.

Allen has carved out a career as one of the top swimmers in school history. She holds the school record in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke along with the record in the 200 IM. She has also been a part of two relay teams that set school records. She has won the MAC Championship in the 100 breaststroke each of her four seasons, and claimed first-place in the 200 breaststroke three times.

?I don?t think I could have asked for a better year to end my career,? Allen stated. ?I?ve achieved all my personal goals, and our team achieved all of its goals. It?s just been a phenomenal year.?

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.