Benko Wins 500 Free at NCAA Women's Swimming Championships
June 21, 1999 | Women's Swimming & Diving
March 18, 1999
ATHENS, Ga. - Senior All-American Lindsay Benko re-established her dominance in the 500-yard freestyle, winning her third national title in the event to highlight USC's record-setting performance in the first day of the 1999 NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships at Georgia on Thursday.
USC finished the first day of competition fourth in the overall standings with 93 points. The Women of Troy, who finished fifth last year, trail Georgia (143.5), SMU (13.7) and Stanford (129).
Benko, a USC co-captain who won NCAA titles in the 500 free as a freshman and sophomore, completed the hat trick in record fashion, her time of 4:40.22 setting a USC school and Gabrielsen Natatorium pool record.
"The victory is bittersweet. This is the last time I'll swim the 500 free, so it's kind of sad," Benko said. "I felt good today and comfortable in the pool. I wanted to break 4:40, but when you win, you can't complain."
Senior All-American Karen Campbell almost matched Benko's performance, finishing third in the 50-yard free with a school record and personal-best time of 22.52. It marked the fourth time in the day that Campbell either broke or tied the record in the 50 free.
USC's 400-yard medley relay team of Benko, freshman Kristin MacGregor, Campbell and junior Paige Francis finished fifth in the trials in 3:37.70. Troy's 200 free relay squad of Campbell, Francis, senior Nora Zhong and freshman Carolyn Conrad finished eighth in 1:31.82.
"I am very pleased with the way our individuals stepped up today and swam fast times," USC Coach Mark Schubert said. "We also accomplished a team goal by reaching the finals of the 200 free relay without Lindsay, freeing her up to concentrate on the 500 free."
The NCAA Championships continue on Friday and Saturday.
