All-America Honors for Allen

ATLANTA -- Junior sprinter Brett Allen competed in the 50-yard freestyle Thursday at the NCAA Division I Men's Swimming and Diving Nationals, held at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center earning All-American honors.

Allen set a new Mountain West Conference record for the 50 free in the preliminary race finishing in 19.62 while earning second-team All-American honors, finishing 12th overall at finals.

"Brett did a fantastic job and I am very proud of him," said Coach Tim Powers.

In the morning at prelims, Allen swam the 50 faster than he ever has in 19.62, finishing 16th overall, barely making the top-16 cut-off for finals. Later that night in the fastest event, Allen placed 12th at finals, bringing home five points for his Cougars.

Allen finished .59 seconds behind the winner of the event, Cullen Jones of North Carolina State, clocking in at 19.18, a new Georgia Tech Pool record.

This is Allen's first time at a National Meet and his first NCAA All-American award.

Allen will swim the 100-yard freestyle at Saturday morning's prelims, hoping to make the 7 p.m. finals.