March 28, 2008

FEDERAL WAY, WASH. - University of North Carolina men's swimmers swam on trio of career best times on the opening day of the 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Swimming & Diving Championships being hosted by the University of Washington. Senior Philip Owen and freshman Joe Kinderwater had career best times in the 500-yard freestyle and freshman Tyler Harris had his personal best time in the 200-yard individual medley.

Senior Ryan Funderburk finished 21st Thursday in one-meter diving with a score of 300.10 points.

Owen, Kinderwater and Harris all had career best times and beat their seed placings in their events on Thursday.

Philip Owen finished 31st in the 500-yard freestyle at 4:22.78, his career best time and eight places better than his No. 39 seeding. Owen's previous career best was 4:22.95 set at this year's ACC Championships.

Joe Kinderwater swam a 4:24.12 in the 500-yard freestyle in the 500-yard freestyle to finish 36th, seven spots better than his seed position. Kinderwater's previous career best was 4:24.41 at this year's ACC meet.

Freshman Tyler Harris took 39th place in the 200-yard individual medley, moving up from his No. 55 seeded spot. His time was 1:48.76, which bettered his career best of 1:49.26 set at last month's ACC meet.

On Friday, Harris will swim the 400-yard individual medley, Owen the 200-yard freestyle and Funderburk will compete in three-meter diving. Kinderwater will have the day off.