July 4, 2007

SANTA CLARA, CALIF. - Chip Peterson won the 800-meter freestyle in a career best time and Peterson and Whitney Sprague combined for five Top 8 finishes as Tar Heel swimmers competed in the XL Santa Clara International Invitational June 28 to July 1 in Santa Clara, Calif.

Peterson won the 800-meter freestyle in a time of 8:02.59, his career best. He also finished third in the 1500-meter freestyle in 15:16.25, sixth in the 400-meter freestyle in 3:54.34, 13th in the 400-meter individual medley in 4:29.90 and 15th in the 200-meter freestyle in 1:51.96. Peterson competed for the North Carolina Aquatic Club and is a sophomore Tar Heel swimmer from Pine Knoll Shores, N.C.

Junior Whitney Sprague of Bronxville, N.Y., also had a brilliant meet for NCAC. She was third in the 1500-meter freestyle in 16;41.46, eighth in the 800-meter freestyle in 8:45.59 and 16th in the 400-meter freestyle in 4:17.50.

UNC senior Philip Owen of Scottsdale, Ariz. also scored in two events at the Santa Clara meet. Owen was 17th in the 800-meter freestyle in 8:34.80 and 14th in the 1500-meter freestyle in 16:13.64.

Incoming freshman Tyler Harris of Richmond, Va., had the seventh fastest qualifying time in the 400-meter individual medley in 4:29.36. Senior Keith Laabs of Memphis, Tenn., won the "C" final of the 200-meter backstroke.