March 29, 2003

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

University of Wyoming sophomore Scott Usher placed sixth in the 200 breaststroke at the 2003 NCAA Championships. The event was held on the campus of the University of Texas at the Jamail Texas Swimming Center.

Usher swam to a time of 1:57.05 to claim All-American status in the event. He placed sixth out of 37 national swimmers. He earned the Cowboys 13 team points and placed them in a tie for 28th place in the nation with 15 total points. Brendan Hansen of the University of Texas won the event with a new NCAA record time of 1:52.62.

Usher's preliminary time of 1:56.60 set a new University of Wyoming school record. His time bettered hall of famer Mark Miller's time of 1:57.72, which has stood since 1988. His mark also breaks his own Mountain West Conference record, which he set last month by swimming a time of 1:58.14 at the MWC Championships.

"I am so impressed with Scott's effort," replied UW head coach Tom Johnson. "Scott earning All-American status is something the whole University will be very excited about. I am very proud of his effort this season."