Meet results
Minneapolis, Minn ...
Mike Vernoia (Hillsborough, NJ/Immaculata), a sophomore swimmer for The College of New Jersey, placed second to earn All-American honors in the 500-yard freestyle event at the opening day of the 2010 Division III National Championships.
Heading into day two, the men's team is currently in sixth place with 51 points while women rank 10th in the standings with 26 points.
Vernoia broke his own school record with a time of 4:25.28 en route to his second-place finish. It was the highest finish for a men's swimmer since Steve Swenson won a national championship in the 100-yard breaststroke in 2006.
Four more Lions earned All-American honors finishing fifth in the 200-yard medley relay. Seniors
James VanBiervliet (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough), Myles O'Connor (Santa Monica, CA/Homeschool), freshman
Adam Schneider (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East), and junior
Shawn Kircher (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North) posted a time of 1:31.45 to score 28 points.
Schneider also placed 11th in the 50-free finishing in 20.52 to garner All-American honorable mention.
The women's 200-yard medley relay team broke a Lions school record placing sixth to earn All-American citations. Sophomore
Trace Hofer (Millville, NJ/Millville), freshman
Kayleigh Shangle (Highland Park, NJ/Highland Park), sophomore
Laura Pierce (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West), and senior
Ashley Robb (Blackwood, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) snapped the school's all-time best 200-medley relay time with a finishing of 1:45.76.
The NCAA championships continue today and finish up on Saturday, March 20.