NCAA Division I Men’s Champs: Arizona’s Darian Townsend Grabs 200 IM Title; On Demand Video Available

FEDERAL WAY, Washington, March 27. ARIZONA's Darian Townsend snagged the 200 IM title with a swift time at the NCAA Division I Men's Championships in Federal Way.

Townsend held off a hard charging Ricky Berens of Texas with a sterling time of 1:42.72. That is the 10th-fastest performance of all time and made Townsend the sixth-best ever behind George Bovell's 1:42.66.

The win defended Adam Ritter's title from last year in the event for the Wildcats, when Ritter went 1:41.72 and gives Arizona its second title ever in the event.

"The IM is something I started swimming when I got to Arizona," Townsend said. "I went away from the 50 free. I started swimming IM. It has taken two years to transition into the event. But, now definitely it has obviously paid off."

Berens clocked a blistering time of his own with a second-place time of 1:43.25 to become the eighth-quickest ever behind Nate Dusing's 1:42.85. The performance is the 13th fastest ever.

Meanwhile, Indiana's Todd Patrick rounded out the medal-winners with a quick time of 1:44.55 that nearly moved him into the top 15 all time in the event.

Texas remained in the lead with 84 points, while Arizona cut the gap to three points with 81 for second. Michigan (58), Stanford (56) and California (44) comprised the rest of the top five.

Event results

ON DEMAND VIDEO

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