Russell Racks Up Converse's 4th Swimming All-American Since 2011
Converse senior swimmer Jenni Russell of Fort Mill, SC earned the distinction of All-American honorable mention swimmer again this year at the NCAA Division II National Swimming and Diving Championships on March 6-9 in Birmingham, AL. Russell’s honor is Converse’s fourth All-American since 2011.
The stage was set during Saturday’s 200 breaststroke final as Russell’s wall-time of 2:23.31 in the 200-breaststroke wrapped up a seventh-place heat finish and 15th overall. On Friday, Russell achieved new personal and Converse all-time bests as she tapped the wall in the 100 yard breaststroke at 1:05.30.
“Russell’s senior season has been nothing short of spectacular, setting both personal and Converse records at this year’s nationals en route to her second All-American crown,” said Converse swim coach Corey White.
Russell entered the championship ranked 14th and 24th in the nation for her events. She is no stranger to competing on the national level, and has qualified for nationals three of her four years swimming for the Valkyries. Last year, she took 16th and earned an All-American honorable mention in the 200 breaststroke.
Russell is an 8-time All-Conference athlete and a 4-time All-Conference Academic recipient for her work as a chemistry major at Converse. Along with excelling in the classroom at the conference level, she has been named to the All-American Academic team twice in her career. Russell put an exclamation point on her recording-breaking senior season at this year’s conference meet, swimming beside her teammates in the 200 and 400-medley relays recording two new Converse College records.