Aug. 16, 2005

Fairfax, Va.--Junior Tom Koucheravy (Fairfax, Va.) represented George Mason at the 2005 ConocoPhillips National Championships on Aug. 3-7 in Irvine, Calif. Koucheravy was one of 700 swimmers who entered the USA Nationals, which is the largest in the history of the competition.

Koucheravy placed sixth in the 1,500 meter freestyle with an Olympic trial qualifying time of 15:38.14. He also finished 15th in the 800 free with a time of 8:12.65 and 25th in the 400 free (4:00.49).

Koucheravy was named the 2005 CAA Men's Swimmer of the Year and garnered league Rookie of the Year honors in swimming the previous season. This past season, he claimed gold medals in both the 500 and 1650-freestyle at the CAA Championship as he helped the Patriots to a second place finish. His time of 15:18.80 in the 1,650 free, which he won for the second straight year, set a new CAA meet record. Koucheravy claimed the 500 free title in 4:28.69. He also qualified for the U.S. World Championship Swimming Trials in the 1,650 free where he placed 10th place with a time of 15:54.31.