NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships: California Earns 400 Medley Title, Third Win of Night

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FEDERAL WAY, Washington, March 22. CALIFORNIA concluded a sterling evening, which featured a trio of wins, with a triumph in the men's 400 medley relay at the NCAA Division I Men's Championships.

The foursome of Mathias Gydesen, Nolan Koon, Tom Shield and Tyler Messerschmidt posted a 3:03.24 for the win, giving the Golden Bears a third straight victory in the event. In sum, Cal has now captured five of the 400 medley relay NCAA titles of all time. Other wins were in 1978 by Peter Rocca, D. Graham Smith, Par Arvidsson and Jim Fairbank, and in 1979 with Pelle Holmetz replacing Fairbank as the anchor.

Arizona's Mitchell Friedemann, Kevin Cordes, Giles Smith and Kelley Wyman placed second in 3:04.83, while Texas' Cole Cragin, Eric Friedland, Neil Caskey and Jimmy Feigen took third in 3:05.68. Stanford (3:06.41), Auburn (3:06.51), Michigan (3:08.25), Louisville (3:08.31) and Penn State (3:08.77) concluded the rest of the championship finishers.

Texas A&M's John Ariens, Amini Fonua, Boris Loncaric and John Dalton claimed the consolation heat with a 3:09.09, while Ohio State placed second in 3:09.74. Florida (3:10.03), Southern California (3:10.16), Indiana (3:11.07), Virginia (3:11.26), Georgia (3:12.13) and Tennessee (3:12.75) also swam in the B final.

Stanford's David Nolan had the top backstroke leg with a 45.33 to move to 15th all time in the 100 back. Cordes blew away the field with a stunning breaststroke leg of 50.62, while Shields had the top butterfly with a 43.56. Auburn's Marcelo Chierighini had the best anchor with a 41.63.

California ended the night in the lead with 157.5 points, while Stanford owned second with 140 points. Texas (128.5), Arizona (118) and Auburn (106.5) made up the top five, all cracking 100 points. Michigan (84), Southern California (79), Florida (58), Louisville (46) and Texas A&M (58) held sixth through 10th.

Editorial coverage of all NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships is brought to you by our sponsor Colorado Time Systems.

Swimming World's NCAA Division I Men's Championships Notes Package Sponsored by NISCA

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