SWM: UCSB’s Ward takes 4th at NCAA Finals

UCSB’s Andrea Ward earned a spot on the podium with a record-setting performance at the NCAA Women’s Swimming Championships in Minneapolis on Friday night.

Ward finished in fourth place in the 100 butterfly with a school-record time of 51.47. Her placement was the highest by a Gaucho swimmer since Anne Marie May took third in the 50 free at the 2008 championships. It also earned her All-American honors

“I am so happy for Andrea and impressed with how she is swimming here,” UCSB coach Gregg Wilson said. “Tonight was a veteran swim, a strong swim and all the credit should go to Andrea and our assiatant coach, Tim Siciliano, who has been working with her all year.”

Ward swam a 51.58 in the morning prelims, which was the sixth fastest time in the race and her fastest of the season.