Mankato, Minn. — The Minnesota State men's and women's swimming and diving squads will conclude the 2009-10 season by sending 10 student-athletes to the NCAA Division II National Championships next week in Canton, Ohio. 

"We are all thrilled to have qualified six women, including diver Janel Duffy, and four men qualify for the National Championships," said head coach Nate Owens who is in his sixth year with the program. "It has been an exciting ride all year long and it culminates in Canton, Ohio this year.  This is a great opportunity for seniors Kim Christensen and Angela Krych to cap their stellar careers.  We expect the meet to be just as competitive as last year and hope that our athletes are up for the challenge of competing with some of the nations finest talent.  The meet will be a great chance for our younger athletes to showcase their ability and gain some valuable national championship experience.  They have trained all year for this meet, so they are pretty fired up and ready to compete!"

On the women's side, the Mavericks are sending five swimmers and a diver.  Senior Angela Krych – an eight-time All-American – returns to the national meet for a fourth time and will swim in two relays and two individual races. 

On the men's side, MSU qualified four student-athletes – all swimmers.  Junior Chris Gogel returns to nationals for the second year.  Last year, Gogel was a two-time All-American.

The Mavericks also qualified for the 200-yard frestyle relay, 200-yard medley relay, 400-yard freestyle relay, 400-yard medley relay and the 800-yard freestyle relay for both the men and the women.

The diving qualifying begins Tuesday, March 9.  Swimming events, along with diving, will run March 10-13.  The swimming and diving events will be held at the C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton, Ohio and the championships are hosted by Lock Haven University.