March 29, 2003
AUSTIN, Texas – Georgia Tech senior Shilo Ayalon earned All-America honors for the third consecutive season and posted the highest national finish in program history by placing fourth in the 1650-yard freestyle Saturday at the 2003 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center. With 15 points, the Jackets placed 28th in the final standings.
The most decorated swimmer in Tech history, Ayalon posted a lifetime best swim in the event with a time of 14:47.31 to eclipse the school record he set at this year’s Atlantic Coast Conference Championships. Yellow Jacket freshman Sam Morgan also had a solid swim in the event, finishing 18th in 15:15.46. Southern California’s Erik Vendt won the 1650 free in 14:29.85.
Ayalon’s showing Saturday bests his eighth-place finish at the 2002 NCAA meet, which also earned the Israel native All-America accolades. He placed 11th in the event in 2001 to garner honorable mention All-America honors. Ayalon is the first three-time All-American in program history.
While this weekend marks the end of the college season, 15 Tech swimmers are slated to compete in the 2003 ConocoPhillips Spring National Championships, April 1-5 in Indianapolis.
-GT-
