Christensen Named to United States National Team

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia senior swimmer Mei Christensen (Reston, Va.) has been named to the 2009-10 National Team roster, USA Swimming released Thursday. The list features a total of 110 swimmers and also includes Cavalier alumnus Fran Crippen.

Christensen was named to the team in the 100 backstroke after swimming a time of 1:00.97 at the World Championship Trials in July.

“For Mei to have been selected to such a prestigious team is such an honor,” UVa head coach Mark Bernardino said. “She serves as one of the faces of Virginia women’s swimming and this is the ultimate honor. We are very proud of her.”

Christensen was named the 2009 Atlantic Coast Conference Swimmer of the Year after claiming individual championships and setting the conference and school records in the 100 and 200 backstroke. She went on to earn All-America honors in both events at the NCAA Championships.

Swimmers are selected for the USA Swimming National Team based on their times in the Olympic events swum in 2009 at the following meets: ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships, the U.S. Open, World University Games and the FINA World Championships. Swimmers with the top six times in each event make the National Team, however, relay lead-offs and time trials are not included.

Crippen, who swam at Virginia from 2003-06, was named to the 2009-10 Open Water National Team. Athletes chosen for the squad were selected from the top six place finishers at the 2009 USA Swimming 10K National Championships. He placed first in the 10K at that event.

“Fran has become a mainstay on the national team,” Bernardino said. “His performances this spring and summer have put him in he forefront and he will represent his country with pride and continue to be a great leader.”