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April 1, 2009
Clarion junior freestyle swimmer Ryan Thiel (Jr. Ligonier/Ligonier Valley), who owns 5 Clarion Men's Swimming records, was named today by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference as the "Men's Swimmer of the Year" in a vote by the PSAC head coaches. "Ryan is extremely deserving of this award," said Clarion head coach Mark VanDyke. "He's a very hard worker and great swimmer who has had three fabulous years of swimming at Clarion. We're proud to have Ryan at Clarion." Thiel was a 6-time Division II All-American recently at the NCAA D-II National Championships in Houston, Texas, which were also a part of the NCAA's Winter Sports Festival. Held at the University of Houston's Wellness and Recreation Center, Ryan placed 14th in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 20.45. In the prelims of that event he swam a Clarion record 20.25, topping Adley Kilgore's record of 20.36. He also placed 14th in the 200 free (1:40.54), and was part of 4 All-America relay swims. Thiel was part of the 200 free relay which was 7th at nationals with a time of 1:22.13, along with the record setting 400 medley relay which was 14th with a time of 3:23.85, the 200 medley relay which was 14th with a time of 1:33.00 and the 400 free relay which was 12th with a time of 3:02.96. In the 2009 season Thiel set the Clarion record for the 50 free (20.25), the 100 free (45.16), and two relay records in the 200 free relay and the 400 medley relay. Clarion finished 13th in team scoring at the Division II Nationals, while also placing third at the PSAC Championships. Thiel was second in the 50, third in the 200 and fourth in the 100 free at PSAC's. In 2008 Thiel was the PSAC "Swimmer of the Meet" at PSAC's when he won the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle events leading Clarion to a second place finish. At D-II Nationals last year he was a 3-time All-American. CLARION NOTES: Thiel is a 13-time D-II All-American in his career... His Clarion records include the 50 and 100 free, plus 200 free relay, 200 and 400 medley relays... Clarion had a 6-3 dual meet men's record this year ... Ninth year head coach Mark VanDyke has a men's dual record of 53-32-2 at Clarion ... |
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