THOMPSON QUALIFIES FIRST IN 400m FREESTYLE -- March 23, 2000

University of Michigan junior Chris Thompson qualified first in the 400m freestyle this morning at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships being held at the University of Michigan Aquatic Center in Minneapolis. Thompson touched in a swift 3:43.68, a fingertip ahead of USC freshman Erik Vendt at 3:43.71.
Stanford's Adam Messner, who is having a tremendous season qualified third at 3:45.32 with defending champion Ryk Neething, Arizona, right behind (3:45.64).
The remaining finalists are Mike Windisch, Nebraska (3:45.92); Scot Goldblatt, Texas (3:46.43); Mark Warkentin, USC (3:46.47); and Austin Ramirez, Virginia (3:46.63).