USC’s Benko Swims to NCAA Victory

Senior Lindsay Benko kicked off the NCAA women’s swimming championships in perfect fashion for USC on Thursday, winning the 500-yard freestyle on the first day of the three-day event at the University of Georgia in Athens.

Her time of four minutes, 40.22 seconds was more than a second faster than Ellen Stonebraker of Wisconsin and set a school record.

“The victory is bittersweet,” said Benko, a three-time NCAA champion in the event. “It’s the last time I’ll swim the 500 free, so I’m kind of sad.

“I wanted to go under four minutes, 40 seconds, but when you win you can’t complain.”

Also, Karen Campbell broke the USC record in the 50 freestyle three times Thursday, finishing third at 22.52 seconds in the final.

The Trojans are in fourth place after the first day with 93 points. The host Bulldogs lead with 143.5. UCLA is in 15th.