Sophomore Madeline Lovrensky and junior Marc Okimura earned All-America status in the women's 100 yard backstroke and the men's 100 yard breaststroke for the University of La Verne Friday night at the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships in Shenandoah, Texas.
Lovrensky placed sixth in the final of the women's 100 backstroke with a time of 55.95, just .13 off her school record and lifetime best of 55.82 established during the prelims earlier in the day.
Okimura followed by posting his second lifetime best of the day in capturing seventh place in the men's 100 breaststroke final, finishing with a clocking of 55.72. The effort was two-tenths faster than his then-personal best of 55.92 during the morning prelims.
The performances capped an historic and record-setting day for both swimmers and the Leopard program as the duo became La Verne's first swimming & diving All-Americans in seven years. Jared Carvitto was the last All-American in swimming for the Leos when he captured fifth place in the 200 yard breaststroke at the 2006 NCAA Championships.
The top eight finishers in each event at the NCAA Championships earn All-America recognition.
"I couldn't be happier for both Marc and Maddie," said Leopard head coach Pat Skehan. "Even though this is their first NCAA Championship meet, they swam like veterans today. Both of them have stepped it up this year on every occasion, and they did it again tonight."
Both Lovrensky and Okimura compete on the fourth and final day at the NCAA Championships. Lovrensky will take part in the 200 yard backstroke while Okimura will swim in the men's 200 yard breaststroke.
