Northwestern University Athletics
Two Northwestern Swimmers Named to U.S. National Teams
9/20/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Sept. 20, 1999
EVANSTON, Ill. - A pair of women?s swimmers from Northwestern University were recently named to the USA Swimming national teams.
Senior Courtney Allen (Monument, Colo./Air Academy) was named to USA Swimming?s National ?A? Team in the 50-meter freestyle, while senior Amy Balcerzak (Sharon, Pa./The Peddie School) was named to USA Swimming?s National ?B? Team in the 100-meter breaststroke.
The National ?A? team is comprised of U.S. swimmers who rank in the top eight in their event in the FINA World Rankings released Sept. 2, 1999. The National ?B? team is comprised of U.S. swimmers who rank in the 9-16 positions. According to the latest FINA World Rankings, Allen is sixth in the world in the 50-meter freestyle, while Balcerzak is 11th in the world in the 100-meter breaststroke.
The honor caps off a spectacular summer for the duo. Allen ? who earned All-America in six events at last year?s NCAA Championships highlighted by a second-place finish in the 50 free ? won gold medals in the 50 free and as anchor of the United States? 400 free relay team at the World University Games. Balcerzak, meanwhile, won three medals at the World University Games, including gold in the 100 breaststroke. She was All-America in five events last year at the NCAA?s.
The Northwestern women?s swimming and diving team, led by these two seniors, will begin the season at the Norris Aquatics Center the weekend of Oct. 30-31. On Saturday, Oct. 30, the Wildcats will entertain Indiana in a Big Ten dual meet, and then a day later they will host the Northwestern Relays.
