May 30, 2008

FORT MYERS, FLA. - Whitney Sprague finished third and Tyler Harris claimed fourth Friday at the USA Swimming 5K Open Water National Championships in Fort Myers, Fla. Sprague, a senior at UNC, representing the Colorado Springs Swim Team swam a time of 1 hour, 4 minutes, 19.8 seconds, just ahead of the fourth place finisher, Nicole Vernon, who went 1:04.20.400.

Harris, a sophomore at Carolina, was fourth in 57 minutes, 4.3 seconds. It was the first major open water race for Harris in his career. Harris also swam for the Colorado Springs Swim Team.

Fran Crippen of Mission Viejo Nadadores won the men's title today His time was 55 minutes, 54.5 seconds. Thirteen-year-old Eva Fabian of Greenwood Memorial Swim Club took the women's race, finishing in 1 hour, 2 minutes and 6.2 seconds.

Today's race marked the first open water national titles for both swimmers.

The USA Swimming 25K Open Water National Championships will be held Tuesday, June 3 in Fort Myers.