P.J. Ransford Breaks Two Jeff Kostoff National Age Group Records At NCAAs

Photo Courtesy: Michigan Athletics

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P.J. Ransford had one of the gutsiest swims of the men’s NCAA swimming and diving championships, leading the pack for about half of the last timed final heat of the 1650 freestyle and finishing second overall to post two national age group records in the same race.

The Michigan freshman had the lead after 1000 yards, turning at 8:46.40. Not only does that break Jeff Kostoff’s 32-year-old 17-18 national age group record, but it makes Ransford the 10th-fastest performer in history in the event.

All-time top 10 performers in 1000 freestyle
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Matias Koski of Georgia ran down Ransford to win the national title with a 14:32.38, but Ransford’s 14:34.36 was good enough for second and another national age group record. The time beat out the 14:38.22 swum by Kostoff in 1984. Kostoff would make the 1984 and 1988 Olympic teams in the 400 IM and was a multiple NCAA champion for Stanford.

Ransford’s time in the 1650 puts him 15th among all-time performers.

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