The Iowa swimming and diving team finished in a tie for 37th place at the NCAA championships, but it can claim an All-American after its trip to Auburn, Ala.

Freshman Becky Stoughton competed in both the 500 and 1,650 freestyle over the weekend. The Peoria, Ill., native placed 28th with a time of 4:43.74 minutes in the 500.

But her time of 16:03.42 minutes — which broke her own school record set at the Big Ten championships — was good for ninth place in Alabama and garnered All-American honors. She is the first Hawkeye swimmer to ever claim All-American status in the event.

Stoughton said her coaches were instrumental to her performance.

"At the beginning of the meet, I kind of struggled mentally," she said. "Marc [Long, head coach] and Nate [Mundt, assistant coach] helped me get back to where I needed to be mentally before my race."

Senior diver Veronica Rydze also competed in Auburn, marking her second trip to the NCAA championships. The Iowa City native placed 17th on the 3-meter springboard with a score of 303.05, missing the finals by 0.70 points. She placed 30th in the 1-meter springboard with a score of 264.85 points.

The team’s final event will be held on April 14, when it will host the annual Alumni Meet.

— by Tork Mason