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March 6, 2006

PULLMAN, Wash. - Senior Jane Copland and junior Erin McCleave each qualified to compete at the 2006 NCAA Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Championships in Athens, Ga., March 16-18. Cougars will be represented in five events at NCAA meet.

Copland makes her first appearance at an NCAA Championship, qualifying in both the 200 individual medley and the 200 breaststroke. The Wellington, New Zealand, native is seeded 68th in the 200 individual medley (2:03.96) and 26th in the 200 breaststroke (2:14.92).

Copland posted a lifetime best swim at the 2006 Pacific-10 Conference Championships in the 200 individual medley to earn a "B" consideration standard in the event. Copland consistently swam consideration standard times throughout the season in the 200 breaststroke to qualify for NCAA championship meet.

McCleave will also make her first appearance at an NCAA Championship, swimming in three events including the 500 freestyle (19th/4:45.96), the 200 freestyle (37th/1:48.48) and the 1650 freestyle (11th/16:17.52). McCleave earned an automatic cut in the 1650 freestyle and swam "B" consideration standards in the 200 and 500 freestyles to qualify for the national championship meet.

McCleave owns the WSU record in each event she qualified for at the 2006 championships and recently matched the highest Cougar finish at a Pac-10 Championship with a third-place performance in the 1650 freestyle (16:31.87) at the 2006 conference meet.

"I believe both Jane and Erin are well prepared to compete at this meet," said Head Swimming Coach Erica Quam. "They had a good Pac-10 experience that helped them gain experience for the NCAA meet. We have had a great year and I'm excited that WSU will be well-represented at NCAAs after a two-year hiatus. This is one of the fastest, most exciting swimming competitions in the world and I think it's going to be a lot of fun!"

The Pac-10 had 63 swimmers qualify for the Division I NCAA meet, the second highest number of athletes from any conference to participate at the meet, and is the only Division I conference in the nation to have swimmers from every member institution competing at the NCAA Championships.

The 2006 NCAA Championships begin Thursday, March 16, and conclude Saturday, March 18, at the Gabrielsen Natatorium in Athens, Ga. For schedule and ticket information, visit www.ncaasports.com/swimming/womens/schedules.