GABRIELLA SCHAFFER NAMED PSAC “FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR”

                (Lock Haven, Pa.): Clarion University freshman backstroke specialist Gabriella Schaffer (Reading/Muhlenberg) was named the PSAC Women's Swimming “Freshman of the Year” today by a vote of the league's head coaches.

                Schaffer, a true freshman, was a two-time NCAA D-II All-American at the recently completed national championships in Birmingham, Alabama. Schaffer placed 10^th in the 200 yard backstroke at nationals setting a new Clarion record with a time of 2:01.81. Earlier this year Schaffer set the school record at the Zippy Invitational with a time of 2:03.41, breaking the old record set by Lori Leitzinger with a time of 2:03.71.

                Schaffer also placed 13^th at nationals in the 100 yard backstroke with a time of 56.24. She also finished second in the recently completed PSAC Championships in the 100 back and 4^th in the 200 backstroke. She was also part of the winning 400 medley relay team at PSAC's with a time of 3:51.83.

                “Gabby had a tremendous freshman season,” praised 13^th year head coach Mark VanDyke. “She is very deserving of this award and we are proud to have her here at Clarion.”

                Clarion's women finished second at the PSAC Championships and 17^th at the NCAA Division II National Championships. She is a Secondary Education – Math major at Clarion University and a Clarion Scholar Athlete. She is also the daughter of Rod and Lisa Schaffer.

                CLARION NOTES: The last Clarion women's “Freshman of the Year” was another accomplished backstroke specialist – Kayla Shull – in 2010… Shull recently finished her fantastic career as a 2-time All-American placing 5^th in the 100 back with a new record time of 55.40, and placed 16^th in the 200 free …  She finished her career as a 15-time All-American.