March 10, 2008
(release courtesy of Dave Blanchard, Luther College sports information director)

DECORAH, IOWA . . . One week after five members of the Luther College women’s swimming team qualified for the national meet, five members of the men’s swimming team were informed that they had been selected to participate at the 2008 NCAA Division III National Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships. This marks the first time in school history and first time under the direction of head coach Lance Huber, Luther has qualified this many members of the men’s swimming team for the national meet in one season.

The College of Wooster will host the men’s championship at the Corwin M. Nixon Aquatic Center located on the campus of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio March 20-22.

The Corwin M. Nixon Aquatic Center has played host to the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships for men in 1995, 1997, and 2002 and the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships for women in 1997, 1999, and 2002. The world-class facility is billed as one of the fastest pools in the country.

Sophomore Michael Pettengill (Vinton, Iowa) will be making his second appearance at the national finale. Pettengill, who earned honorable mention All-America honors a year ago in the 100 breaststroke, has qualified in this event and the 200 breaststroke. He will also be swimming the 200 IM as a bonus event.

Following the preliminary round of competition, the top eight qualifiers earn All-American honors, while the second group of eight swimmers is considered honorable mention All-American.

Seniors Eric Crawford (Des Moines, Iowa/Lincoln) and Ben Skutnik (Hastings, Neb.), junior Cameron Webb (Carroll, Iowa), and sophomore Taylor Nelson (Decorah, Iowa) will all be making their first trips to the national meet.

This foursome has qualified in the 200 freestyle relay, posting a time of 1:23.18, which ranks ninth best in the nation. The Norse will also be given the opportunity to swim the 400 freestyle relay, 800 freestyle relay, 200 medley relay and the 400 medley relay as bonus events.

Individually, Nelson, Webb and Skutnik will swim the 50 freestyle as a bonus event. Webb will also be swimming the 200 freestyle.

“This is an outstanding accomplishment for our men’s team,” stated coach Huber. “I am extremely proud of what these individuals and our team have accomplished this season. We have been training for this opportunity all season and I know the men are looking forward to competing against the best swimmers in Division III.”

Luther College is a four-year liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and is located in Decorah, Iowa. The Norse compete in 10 men's and nine women's intercollegiate sports.

As a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) since 1922, the men have won 141 conference championships. In 1982 the IIAC expanded its championship sponsorship to include women's sports. During this time span, the women have won 55 team titles. Combined, the Norse have captured an unmatched 196 IIAC titles.

More information on Luther College athletics can be found on the athletic web site at http://sports.luther.edu.

-30-