FEDERAL WAY , Wash. -- Whitworth College swimmer Samantha Kephart established a new NCAA Division III record for the 200-yard Butterfly on Sunday evening when she won the event at the 2006 Northwest Conference Championships with a time of 2:01.45. The NWC championships were held at the King County Aquatic Center.

Kephart Set an NCAA Division III Record

Kephart (So., Santa Maria, Calif. - St. Joseph HS) broke the record of 2:01.84 set by Peggy Whitbeck of Grove City College, established February 22, 2003.

"It was a beautiful swim," said Whitworth head coach Steve Schadt. "She was out fast, and based on her prior results in the meet I thought she had a shot at a great finish."

The NCAA Division III Women's Swimming and Diving Championships will be March 9-11 at the University of Minnesota and hosted by Carleton College. Kephart was the NCAA Division III runner up in the 200 Butterfly as a freshman.

Kephart's time has also qualified her to compete at the 2006 USA Swimming Spring Championships, which will be held at the same facility (KCAC) in which she set the record. That meet begins on March 28th. She is also qualified to compete at the Conoco Phillips National Championships in Irvine, California, beginning on August 1st.

Kephart was the NWC Women's Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet for the second consecutive season. She won the 500 Freestyle in 5:01.17, establishing a new meet record. She also won the 100 Butterfly in 56.23, setting a new meet and Northwest Conference record. She will compete in the same three events at the NCAA Championships.