Massive Underwaters Win Tom Shields Third 100 Fly Title

Editorial coverage sponsored by SpeedoUSA

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, March 29. CALIFORNIA's Tom Shields put up the third-fastest 100-yard fly of all time as he clinched his third title in the event at the NCAA Division I Men's Championships. Shields completely dominated the underwaters in the event, which make up about 60 percent of the entire swim.

Shields ripped off a 20.73, 44.59 winning time, behind only Austin Staab's 44.18 and Albert Subirats' 44.57 on the performances list. Incidentally, Shields also moved up to third all time on the performers list, ahead of Tyler McGill's 44.63.

Shields became a three-time winner in the event, having previously topped the event in 2010 and 2012. Only five other swimmers have ever won the event three-or-more times, that list includes Ian Crocker (4), Pablo Morales (4), Mark Spitz (4), Lars Frolander (3) and Anthony Nesty (3). Notably, Nesty presented the award during the podium ceremony as he was in town as an assistant coach for the Florida staff.

Florida's Marci Cieslak turned up the heat down the stretch with a 24.12 final 50 en route to second-place honors in 45.35. That shot Cieslak up to 13th all time in the event's history. Michigan's Sean Fletcher (45.54) and Miguel Ortiz (45.79) placed third and fourth for the Wolverines in what wound up being crucial in the team-title race.

California's Marcin Tarczynski earned fifth overall with a 45.97 to wrap up the sub-46 performances. Arizona's Giles Smith (46.11), N.C. State's Barrett Miesfeld (46.14) and Ohio State's Tim Phillips (46.19) also vied for the NCAA title. Stanford's Aaron Wayne put up a 46.09 to win the B final.

California made up a bit of ground in the team race with Michigan leading 245-213.5 after the 100 fly. Florida (151), Auburn (142.5) and Arizona (139) held third through fifth.

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