March 16, 2008

(Columbia, Missouri): Clarion University senior backstroke specialist Lori Leitzinger (State College) and senior diver James Kane (Plymouth) placed 6th in their specialties highlighting the final day of competition for the Golden Eagle in the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving National Championships in Columbia, Missouri.

Held at the "Mizzou Aquatic Center", the Clarion Women's team is finished in 8th place in team scoring . Truman State won the women's event with 461.5 points, Drury was second with 449, North Dakota was third with 324, Cal San Diego was fourth with 302 and Clarion finished 8th with 190 points.

Leitzinger led the women by placing 6th in the 200 yard backstroke with a time of 2:04.18. Also placing on Saturday night was Kaitlyn Johnson (Fr. Uniontown) who was 10th in the 100 freestyle with a time of 51.85.

The 400 free relay team of Johnson, Leitzinger, Kelly Connolly (Fr. Cranberry Twp- Seneca Valley) and Gina Mattucci (Fr.Jeannette - Penn Trafford) placed 11th with a time of 3:31.04.

In men's action diver James Kane led the Golden Eagles by placing 6th in 3 meter diving scoring 419.30 points. Teammate Clay Bowers (Fr. St. Marys) finished 11th on 3 meter with 394.40 points.

The men's team championship was won by Drury who scored 523.5 points, while Missouri S&T was second with 336 points and West Chester third with 316.5. Clarion finished 18th with 68 points.

CLARION NOTES: Kane, now a 4-time All-American, was 7th on 1 meter and 6th on 3 meter this year ... In 2006 he was 5th on 1 meter last year and 7th on 3 meter.