March 5, 2007
Release courtesy of Dave Blanchard, Luther College sports information director

DECORAH, IOWA . . . Luther College's Michael Pettengill, a 2006 graduate of Fort Mills High School (NC), has qualified for the NCAA III National Swimming and Diving Championships becoming the second Iowa Conference men’s swimmer to qualify for nationals since the Conference began officially recognizing the sport in 2003.

Pettengill, only a freshman, has qualified in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke. He will also compete in the 200 IM as a bonus event. He qualified for the national meet by shattering the school records in the 100 breaststroke (57.38) and the 200 breaststroke (2:06.37) at the Liberal Arts Championships held Feb. 15-17 at Coe College. He enters the national meet ranked 12th in the 100 breast and 16th in the 200 breast.

To earn All-America honors, a swimmer must finish in the top-eight of his event. If an athlete finishes 9th-16th, they are considered an honorable mention All-American.

Pettengill is the first Luther swimmer to qualify for the national meet under the direction of sixth year Head Coach Lance Huber.

The University of Houston will host the NCAA III Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships Mar. 15-17.

Pettengill is the son of Kathleen Pettengill of Vinton, Iowa.

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