March 3, 2003

SEATTLE, Wash. - A panel of coaches for CollegeSwimming.com have selected Maryland senior Shandra Johnson (Omaha, Neb.) as one of six National Swimmers of the Week. The six were selected from many nominations for their performances during the week of February 22-28. The award winners included William Betz of Brigham Young University, Kristen Lund of the University of Indianapolis, Ben Michaelson of Southern Connecticut State University, Kari Schneibel of Emory University and Richard Kinnett of Emory University.

Johnson had a record setting performance at the ACC Championships, winning three individual events: the 500-yard freestyle, the 200-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle. She was unanimously voted the meet's most valuable swimmer, the only woman in school history to earn that honor. Her performances helped Maryland finish fourth at the meet with 538 points, their highest point total ever at the conference championships.

Her winning time in the 500-free of 4:44.25 broke Maryland's school record in the event and qualified her for the NCAA Championships. Johnson had two other NCAA "A" standard times in her victories, 1:47.17 in the 200-free and 49.63 in the 100-free.

Johnson will swim at the NCAA Championships March 20-22 at host school Auburn University's James E. Martin Aquatic Center.