Carrillo Set to Swim at NCAA Championships - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Carrillo Set to Swim at NCAA Championships

INDIANAPOLIS - Bowling Green State University swim team member Daniela Carrillo is set to represent the Falcons at the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships, held March 21-23 in IU Natatorium.

Only a freshman, Carrillo will compete in the 100- and 200 yard breaststroke at the championships, events in which she now holds the BGSU record after taking home two silver medals at the Mid-American Conference Championships earlier this month. Carrillo's preliminary time of 2:11.20 in the 200 breaststroke was the fastest of the entire meet.

"It was always one of my goals, but I never thought it was actually going to happen," Carrillo said. "I just feel really honored and blessed to have the opportunity to swim my 100- and 200 breast again."

Peaking at the right time, Carrillo managed to shave seven seconds off her best time in the 200 yard breaststroke and nearly three seconds off her best in the 100 yard breaststroke at MAC Championships. After helping the Falcons to a third-place finish overall, Carrillo received an invitation to the NCAA Championships on March 6, becoming the first BGSU swimmer to advance since Cheryl Patteson in 1996.

"It definitely has been a long time," said head coach Petra Martin, who was named MAC Coach of the Year following her team's success. "It's not just about one person. We have been doing things together as a team and having all the other women around her, getting through workouts together, makes a difference. The way we pulled together as a team this year helped her make this possible."

Carrillo will compete in her first event, the 100 yard breaststroke, Friday at 11 a.m., with the 200 yard breaststroke taking place Saturday at the same time. Final rounds of the NCAA Championships will be shown live at 7 p.m. on ESPN3.

For updates from Carrillo's races in Indianapolis, visit BGSUFalcons.com throughout the weekend.