Twichell and O?Connor to Compete at Open Water Nationals

DURHAM, N.C. - Two current Duke swimmers continue to stay busy during the summer months, as they head to Long Beach, Calif. this weekend for the 2010 Open Water National Championships. Senior Ashley Twichell and junior Rose O'Connor will join swimmers from across the country in the 10K Open Water National Championship on Friday, June 4 at the Long Beach Marine Stadium. The event will also serve as the selection race for the USA Swimming National Open Water Team and the Pan Pacific Games squad.

A native of Fayetteville, N.Y., Twichell helped Duke to a 28th-place finish at the 2010 NCAA Championships in March. She took 14th nationally in the 1650 freestyle and 43rd in the 500 free, while finishing second and fifth in the 1650 and 500 freestyles, respectively, at the ACC Championships earlier this year.

O'Connor posted Duke's third-best performances of the season in the 1000 and 1650 freestyle. A product of Green Village, N.J., O'Connor notched a time of 17:15.65 in the 1650 free against South Carolina.