Trutor to Swim at NCAA Championships

From Stuart Kaufman, Sports Information: Keene State’s Kristine Trutor saw her perseverance pay off on March 6.

Healthy for the first time since coming to Keene State, the junior learned she had earned a berth in the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships that takes place at the University Aquatic Center on the campus of the University of Minnesota, March 18–21. Trutor, who qualified in the 100-yard backstroke, will also have the opportunity to compete in the 100 butterfly and 200 back events.

This is the second-straight year the Owls have sent a swimmer to the nationals. Rachel Mondello earned a spot in the 50 freestyle last season. “We were hoping to make it two years in a row,” said KSC Coach Jack Fabian. “It’s been a long road for Krissy to get up to speed, and now she’s there.”

Injuring her shoulder in a freak accident after a standout career at Wachusett Regional, Trutor swam through the pain before having surgery following her freshman season at KSC. Rehabbing through most of her sophomore year, she came into this season ready to make waves.

In early December, Trutor set three individual backstroke records to lead Keene State to its third-straight Little East Conference Championship. Two weeks ago, she won three individual backstroke races, swam on four winning relays, and earned Swimmer of the Meet honors, leading the Owls to their second-straight NEISDA crown.

“This is the first year I was able to do all the practices and not get out of the pool,” Trutor said. “I just tried to focus on getting faster and faster.” Trutor is hoping she’ll go fast enough to earn All-American honors. “Since I got to Keene, the only thing I’ve been thinking about is being in the top eight and earning All-American,” she said. Trutor is seeded 18 out of 28 swimmers in the tight 100 back race.