Harvard senior Tom Peterson spent, spring break having a dream come true--and making a statement at the same time.

Peterson earned All-America honors this past weekend as he captured third in the 400 IM and sixth in the 200 backstroke at the NCAA swimming tournament in Indianapolis, Ind.

"My individual goal since I got here was to be an All-American," Peterson said. "I feel its a real culmination of season."

While the captain of the men's swimming team certainly had cause to celebrate (it was Harvard's best showing at the nationals since David Berkoff in 1989), Peterson saw his performance as an important statement for eastern swimming.

"People look at the [Eastern Intercollegiate Swimming League] as a hyped-up high school meet. People were expecting me to fall flat on my face," Peterson said. "It was really good for Ivy swimming and its pretty much a good beginning for Harvard on a national level."

Four other swimmers competed at nationals: sophomore Sean Gouldson (10th, 100 backstroke), freshman Tim Carver (15th, 100 backstroke), senior Chris Kovacs (17th, 100 backstroke), junior Simon Wainwright (13th, 200 butterfly).