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Leonard and Bergen Take Open Water Titles

May 20, 2001

Courtesy US Swimming
Clemson, S.C. - The 2001 25K Open Water Nationals were held in Clemson, S.C. today. Mark Leonard successfully defended his 2000 title for the men's side, with Briley Bergen winning the women's race.

Both Leonard and Bergen will compete for the United States at the 2001 World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan this summer. Joining them on the team will be veteran John Kenny and newcomer Tiffany Sawin.

Leonard won in five hours and 10 minutes (5:10) and Bergen's winning time was five hours and 36 minutes (5:36).

"I'm excited about Worlds because my grandmother lives in Japan, so I'll finally be able to go there," said two-time men's winner Mark Leonard. "It felt great to defend my title. My shoulder's been giving me some problems, but luckily I was able to come out here and swim without trouble."

Bergen is no stranger to international competition after winning Pan Pacs in 1999 and competing at Open Water Worlds in Hawaii in 2000. The idea of going into the next international meet with some big meets under her belt is very appealing to Bergen. " I'm very excited, especially about Worlds. I've only competed twice internationally, so this will be great experience. I swam at Pan Pacs and at the World Championships in Hawaii last year. Hawaii was tough because it was more of a pack swim. There were a lot of girls there that had competed internationally before and had a lot of experience. Hopefully I'll do better in Japan, after competing in those conditions in Hawaii."

Selected Results from the 25K Open Water National Championships
Women 
1   Briley Bergan    5:36:43   The Bolles School 
2   Tiffany Sawin    5:53:43   Unattached 
3   Jennifer Mcleod  5:57:40   Mission Viejo
4   Annie Moore      6:00:01   Bolles School 
5   Cara Manlandro   7:24:53   Bolles School 
6   Lauren Dillen    7:38:32   Gamecock Aquatics 
7   Bennett Andrews  7:38.39   Gamecock Aquatics 
8   Casey Andrews    7:38:45   Gamecock Aquatics 

Women's Team
1. Bolles School, FL (Bergan, Moore, Manlandro) 
2. Gamecock Aquatics, SC (Dillen, Andrews, Andrews) 

Men
1   Mark Leonard     5:10:44   Club Wolverine 
2   John Kenny       5:22:56   Foxcatcher 
3   Christopher Derks 5:30:58   Fort Lauderdale Swim Team 
4   Nick Grossman    5:49.18   Clemson Aquatic Team 
5   Brandon Cain     7:37:46   Gamecock Aquatics 

Club Championship 
Women
1. Bolles Swim Team     49 points
2. Gamecock Aquatics    36 points 
3. Mission Viejo        16 points 


Men 
1. Wolverine Swim Team  20 points 
2. Foxcatcher           17 points 
3. Fort Lauderdale      16 points
4. Clemson Aquatic Team 15 points 
5. Gamecock Aquatics    14 points 


Combined
1. Gamecock Aquatics    50 points