NCAA Division I Men’s Champs: Michigan’s Alex Vanderkaay Defends 400 IM Title; On Demand Video Available

FEDERAL WAY, Washington, March 28. MICHIGAN's Alex Vanderkaay defended his 400 IM title from a year ago when he clocked a time of 3:41.58 at the NCAA Division I Men's Championships.

Vanderkaay claimed the title for the second straight year after clocking a personal-best time of 3:40.89 last year to become the ninth-fastest performer of all time in the event. He became the first back-to-back winner since fellow Wolverine Tim Siciliano won three straight from 1999 to 2001. Vanderkaay is also only the 13th swimmer to win the event multiple times.

The victory also gave Michigan its eighth win in the event, moving it closer to Southern California's record haul of 12. Additionally, the win gave Michigan its 157th in the history of the program – an NCAA record.

"I knew I had to go out [from the start] after it," Vanderkaay said. "It was the only way to do it. I was hurting on that last hundred, but I was able to hold of Sebastien [Rouault]. It feels really good to bring one home for Michigan. I thought everyone would be out a little faster but I just held on to it during the breaststroke and in the freestyle I left everything I had in the pool."

Georgia's Sebastien Rouault placed second from lane seven with a time of 3:42.25 to move into 14th all time in the event, behind Dave Wharton's 3:42.23 and ahead of Eric Shanteau's 3:42.44.

Another outside smoke finisher, Florida's Bradley Ally placed third in 3:43.59 from lane eight.

Arizona remained in first with 196 points, while Michigan held second with 154 points. California (149), Auburn (141) and Texas (129) made up the rest of the top five.

Event results

ON DEMAND VIDEO

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