Swimmer Downey Disappointed With Performance in Nationals

Sophomore Laurie Downey turned in a disappointing performance at the AIAW intercollegiate swimming championships in Fort Lauderdale last weekend, failing to reach the finals in any event.

The University of Miami took top honors in the competition, followed by Stanford and USC. Downey was the only Crimson swimmer to journey south for the meet.

Downey's strongest showing was in the 100 backstroke. She touched in at 1:02.4 for 17th place, three seconds off the winning pace and more than a second behind her own season best.

Downey also swam in the 100 IM in 1:03.8 and the 50 backstroke in 29.4. Barbara Ann Marshall of UNC won the 200 backstroke in a stunning 2:04.0, while Downey finished a full three seconds behind her own season best time at 2:14.2.

Coach Stephanie Johnson and Downey agreed that competing in an outdoor facility for the first time this year had slowed her down.

"It makes a difference to those of us who train indoors all year," Downey said yesterday.