Miami University junior swimmer Kelsey Vehr, who won three individual championships at the Mid-American Conference (MAC) meet, came to the NCAA meet at Purdue University on Wednesday looking to improve on her NCAA times from last year's meet. And she did just that.

"I am writing this blog as the happiest All-American Miami girl alive," Vehr said in her postcard blog from the NCAA Championship Meet Saturday.

After qualifying for the 100-yard breaststroke finals Friday morning, Vehr became Miami's first All-American women's swimmer. She clocked in the fifth fastest preliminary time in the event, and went on to finish seventh in the finals later that night.

"The race was somewhat intimidating, but I had nothing to lose," Vehr said. "I already accomplished more than I ever would. I took a deep breath and dove in. I felt great once again in the water and finished at seventh with a 1:00.66, which was faster than my time at the MAC's, but didn't beat my morning time. I was so happy to finish in the top eight."

Teammate Megan Brunn made the trip to West Lafayette to cheer on her classmate.

"I can't say enough about Kelsey Vehr and how great her accomplishments have been thus far in her swimming career," Brunn said. "Being the first ever All-American from the Miami women's swimming and diving program is remarkable, and I'm honored to say that I know her and train with her."

On Saturday, Vehr barely missed becoming an All-American in her second event in the NCAA's, placing 18 in the 200-yard breaststroke. Her time of 2:11.84 was just 21 one-hundredths of a second behind the 16 place finisher. While the top eight times swim in the event finals and win All-America honors, placers nine to 16 earn berths in the consolation finals and for honorable All-America acclaim.

"I went a 2:11.84, my second best time ever," Vehr said. "I felt awesome in the water, I would have loved to have another swim but I am so happy to end on that. I hoped out of the pool and watched the remaining two heats of the 200-yard breaststroke to see if could make it back at night, but unfortunately my time wasn't fast enough. I couldn't ask for anything more."