Senior takes seventh in the nation in 200 breaststroke
Four years ago, Emily McClellan didn’t know if she wanted to swim collegiately.
But for the second-straight year, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee senior became an NCAA First-Team All-American after finishing seventh overall in the 200 breaststroke at the NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center Saturday.
McClellan capped off her remarkable UWM career with a time of 2:06.98 in the A-final for seventh place in the nation. That was faster than her time of 2:07.33 in the morning prelims and just shy of her own UWM and Horizon League record.
“It was a good ending,” Milwaukee head coach Kyle Clements said. “She dropped some time going from this morning to tonight. It was the way to end it. That race hurts, especially at the end of a long three days here. That was a lot of guts and a lot of heart put into that last one. Probably not quite the place that she wanted but I couldn’t be prouder.”
“It was a good finish to a great career.”
Added McClellan, “This is awesome. The cherry on top.”
Milwaukee finishes the meet with 29 points for 26th place. That is higher than 27 other universities that scored at the national meet – including the likes of Ohio State, Missouri and Michigan – and numerous others that did not factor in the final scoring.
Saturday’s results come off the heels of an outstanding day in the pool Friday where McClellan became the second-fastest swimmer on the planet in the 100 breaststroke. Her time of 57.76 placed her second overall behind only American record holder Breeja Larson.
The Panther phenom also had a strong showing in the 200 IM on the first day of the national meet, touching the wall at 1:57.84, just shy of her own school and league record for 28th place overall.
This caps an outstanding four-year career at Milwaukee for McClellan. She finishes her career having broken the 100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke and 200 IM school and league records a combined 23 times and is the most decorated swimmer in Horizon League history.
