March 8, 2000

CHAMPAIGN,Ill. - The University of Illinois will have two swimmers hitting the pool at the NCAA Championships March 16-18.

Sophomore Jessica Aveyard and junior Anna Christiansen have qualified for the Illini for the championships, which will be held at the IUPUI Natatorium in Indianapolis, Ind. Aveyard will be headed to NCAA's for the first time in her career while Christiansen will make her second trip, having participated as a freshman in the 400 IM and 500 free.

Aveyard, of Shamong, N.J., became the first NCAA automatic qualifier in school history with her record 1:57.90 swim in the 200 back at the Big Ten Championships. She is seeded ninth in the field of 38.

Christiansen, of West Newbury, Mass., will compete in the 400 IM and the 200 breast. She is seeded 23rd in the 400 IM and 27th in the 200 breast. Christiansen owns the school record the 200 breast with a time of 2:17.43 and ranks second at Illinois in the 400 IM with a 4:19.85.

Aveyard and Christiansen are two of six UI swimmers to qualify for the 2000 Summer Olympic Trials.