March 15, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS -- Bennett Clark, Greg DeStephen and David Boyko all cot their first experience at the NCAA Men's Swimming & Diving Championships on the first day of the 2007 event Thursday.

Clark got things started for the MU trio as he was one of 46 competitors in the 50 Freestyle. The St. Louis, Mo. native recorded a time of 20.12 but wasn't able to advance to the finsls in the evening session. He will have Friday off before competing in the 100 Free on Saturday - the event he posted a qualifying time of 43.58, which is the 22nd-fastest seed time in the field of 63.

In the 1-meter springboard event, DeStephen posted a score of 280.60 to finish in 25th overall. The freshman from Columbus, Ohio, finished strong with a final dive of 61.50. That score - on a twisting one-and-a-half reverse - was the ninth-highest of the sixth round among the 34 competitors.

Boyko began the competition with a score of 105.00 after the first two dives but slipped from 15th to his final spot of 32nd with a final tally of 250.65.

Both divers will be in action on the 3-meter event on Friday.