Six Swimmers Receive Mid-Major All-American Honors

YPSILANTI, Mich. — The Eastern Michigan University men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams had six swimmers garner Mid-Major All-American honors by CollegeSwimming.com. Senior Madeleine Pilchard was named to the first team for her efforts at the NCAA Championships (March 20-23), while five other swimmers were named honorable mention.

Joining Pilchard on the women’s side were Hannah Burandt, Ashley Durand and Alissa Ricard. All three were recognized as Honorable Mentions. Juniors Derick Roe and Ryan Fulkerson were selected as Honorable Mentions as well on the men’s side.

Thirty women earned the honor based on their qualification for the 2008 Women’s NCAA Division I Championships while another seventy-seven were given Honorable Mention status by earning NCAA ‘B’ time standards during the 2007-08 season.

Pilchard ended her Eastern Michigan career in style this year, guiding the Eagles to a 38th place finish at the NCAA meet. She placed 11th in the 200 free, hitting the wall in 1:45.36. In the 100 freestyle, she finished 13th with a time of 48.88. The Marietta, Ga. native earned Honorable Mention All-American honors for both finishes. She also swam the 50 freestyle, finishing 29th in preliminary action with a time of 22.83. Pilchard was named the Mid-American Conference Swimmer of the Year for the third consecutive season, as well as receiving the Senior Swimmer of the Year award at the MAC Championship meet (Feb. 20-23).

Burandt, a second team All-MAC selection, was part of three relay teams (200 free, 400 free and 800 free) that set new conference records at this year’s MAC Championship meet. Individually at the meet, she placed third in the 200 freestyle with an NCAA ‘B’ time of 1:48.35 and third in the 500 freestyle (4:50.57). She was also an Academic All-MAC selection for the second consecutive season.

Durand was selected second team All-MAC this season, the second consecutive season she has garnered all conference honors. At the MAC Championship meet, Durand was a member of the winning 400 medley relay team that set a new pool standard with a time of 3:44.63. The junior also placed third in the 200 breaststroke (2:16.06) and fourth in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.80). Durand was also named Academic All-MAC for the first time in her career following the season.

Ricard was a first team All-MAC honoree, improving from her second team selection in 2006. Ricard joined Burandt and Pilchard on the conference champion 200, 400 and 800 freestyle relay teams. She finished runner-up to Pilchard in the 200 freestyle at the Championship Meet, hitting the wall in 1:47.74, a ‘B’ cut time. At the MAC Meet, she also took fourth in the 50 free and seventh in the 200 backstroke.

Thirteen men earned the honor based on their qualification for the 2008 Men’s NCAA Division I Championships, while another seventy-eight were given Honorable Mention status by earning NCAA ‘B’ time standards during the 2007-08 season.

On the men’s side, Fulkerson and Roe helped lead the Eagles to their second consecutive and 27th overall MAC title. Roe was named Swimmer of the Year, following his strong junior campaign. At the Championship Meet, he won two individual events and was part of three winning relay teams. Roe captured the 50 (19.82) and 100 (44.61) freestyle races, while finishing third in the 200 free (1:41.73). He was a member of the victorious 200 freestyle relay team (1:20.37), the 200 medley relay team (1:30.89) and the 400 medley relay team (3:20.78).

Fulkerson was a first team All-MAC selection, as he was the MAC Champion in the 100 (48.78) and 200 (1:48.14) fly. He also joined Roe on the winning 200 and 400 medley relay teams. The junior was also selected Academic All-MAC for the first time in his career.

Mid-Major institutions are designated as colleges or universities that are not affiliated with a Bowl Championship Series (BCS) conference as well as those institutions awarding less than half of the maximum-allowable scholarships (seven for women, five for men). CollegeSwimming.com is a leading website for collegiate swimming for teams, coaches, and fans. CollegeSwimming.com offers comprehensive coverage of collegiate swimming news, results and times and serves as an advocate for the sport. CollegeSwimming.com produces polls, community service awards, and other programs to strengthen and promote the sport.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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