Franklin strong in 500 free to start NCAA's

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AUBURN, Ala. -- University of Arkansas junior swimmer Chelsea Franklin clocked a time of 4:43.71 in the 500 freestyle on the opening day of the NCAA Championships in Auburn, Ala., Thursday morning.

Franklin, the only Razorback in action on Thursday, placed 27th in a field of 57 swimmers. Franklin's time trails only her own performance in the finals at the SEC Championships, a 4:42.91, as the fastest of the year for Arkansas.

"It was a great swim for Chelsea to start the meet," said Arkansas head coach Jeff Poppell. "That time represents her fastest ever preliminary swim in the 500 free, and was two seconds faster than she swam a year ago at this meet. It should set her up for a great 1,650 on the last day."

Franklin will compete in her marquee event, the 1,650 freestyle, alongside fellow-Razorback, sophomore Nicole Menzel, on Saturday.

Shannon Vreeland of Georgia posted the top 500 free time in the preliminary session this morning, with a 4:34.49. The top 16 finishers in the prelims will move on to compete in the finals this evening.

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