November 29, 2006 - Broncs Competing at U.S. Open with Olympians, World Record Holders

November 29, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Swimming
Broncs Competing at U.S. Open with Olympians, World Record Holders

LAWRENCEVILLE—Eight members of the Rider University swimming & diving teams will compete at the U. S. Open Swimming Championships, held November 30-December 2 at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. “Our program philosophy seeks to integrate as much as possible the most competitive levels of swimming offered by the NCAA and USA Swimming calendar,” said Rider head coach Steve Fletcher.

Senior Lauren Urbanski and senior Brandon Modrov qualified for the U. S. Open in individual events, while five of Rider’s relay teams also qualified, the women’s 400 medley and 400 freestyle and the men’s 400 free, 400 medley and 800 free.

Urbanski (Lansdowne, Pa./Upper Darby) qualified in the 200 butterfly, while Modrov (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) qualified in the 200 individual medley, 400 individual medley and the 200 breaststroke.

“This will be the first time in team history we’re attending this event representing Rider University,” Fletcher said. “We’ll be competing against some of the top programs in NCAA Division I swimming as well as the top athletes throughout the country in USA Swimming.”

Swimming on the women’s relays with Urbanski will be senior Courtney Clark (Broomall, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara), sophomore Priscilla Modrov (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) and freshman Kellyanne Tomasula (Sussex, N.J./Vernon Township).

“It means a lot to have qualified and be able to swim at a national meet like this,” said Priscilla Modrov. “It is really an honor and a privilege to be able to swim with and compete against World Class athletes, and athletes I have looked up to my entire life.”

Swimming on the men’s relays with Brandon Modrov will be senior Andy French (Richfield, Minn./Richfield Senior), junior Peter Starr (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown Area Senior) and freshman Scott Player (Chino Hills, Calif./Ruben S. Ayala).

“Competing against the best of the best is the core philosophy behind RUSDT and the only way to improve as a program,” said French.  “There is no better way to do that than competing against top Division 1 teams and Olympic gold medalists."

“By competing at these USA Swimming sanctioned national events, our athletes are better prepared for the challenges of competing against the best athletes in the NCAA,” Fletcher said.

Twenty-one U.S. Olympians will compete among the nearly 1,000 swimmers at the U.S. Open. Highlighting the line-up are world record-holders Michael Phelps, Aaron Peirsol, Ian Crocker and Cullen Jones. In addition, four-time Olympic gold medalist Lenny Krayzelburg of Odessa, Russia will swim in his first major competition since the 2004 Olympic Games.

“All of our athletes know that when we qualify for these types of big meets, we attend and  represent Rider University at the highest level possible,” Fletcher said. “Competing in the company of these internationally successful athletes will be a humbling, rewarding and an unforgettable experience for our team.”

“I think this experience will help me grow as an athlete,” Priscilla Modrov said.  “Being able to compete at this level and against this high caliber of swimmers, hopefully we will be able to qualify and attend this type of meet again. I'm really looking forward to swimming fast and having fun.”

-RU-