Franklin and Menzel to compete at NCAA's

FAYETTEVILLE -- Junior swimmer Chelsea Franklin and sophomore swimmer Nicole Menzel, both among the country's top distance freestylers, will represent the University of Arkansas swimming and diving team at the NCAA Championships in Auburn, Ala., March 15-17, it was announced Wednesday.

Franklin, who earned All-American distinction in the 1,650 freestyle at the NCAA Championships as a sophomore last year, will compete in the 1,650 free and is also eligible to swim the 500 free. Franklin's time of 16:08.27 in the 1,650 free, swam for a fourth place finish at this year's SEC Championships, is the second-fastest in school history and ranks 14th in the country this year. Franklin also has achieved an NCAA B cut in the 500 free with her time of 4:42.91.

Menzel has had her own stellar season in distance free events, and her time of 16:17.94 in the mile ranks 30th in the nation. Franklin and Menzel have combined for 14 top-two finishes in the 500 free and 1,650 free events this season to lead one of the strongest and deepest distance freestyle groups in the nation.

"I can't say enough about the distance freestyle group that we have," said Arkansas head coach Jeff Poppell. "It's one of the best in the country, and Chelsea and Nicole have led us all year long."

Franklin broke the school record in the 1,650 free at the 2011 NCAA Championships with a time of 15:59.05. Her mark earned her a seventh place finish overall, as well as that All-American status. Menzel, who finished seventh in the mile at this year's SEC Championships, will be making her first trip to the NCAA's.

For more information about Razorback swimming and diving, please log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.