Dave Durden: Maturity, Experience Brought About Cal Championship (VIDEO INTERVIEW)

Editorial content for the 2019 NCAA DI Championship coverage is sponsored by SwimOutlet.com. See full event coverage.

After the California Golden Bears secured their NCAA championship Saturday evening in Austin, Texas, coach Dave Durden reflected on a week that saw his team score an A-finalist in every event, take four individual and one relay title and utterly dominate each of the meet’s three full days—and, of course, take a slip on deck after one Daniel Carr re-swim.

Durden explained in various terms what the title meant to him and his program and how his team’s previous experience at the national meet was so critical. Durden also explained how he would rate each of the days and why this year’s team was not a slow-starting bunch like many Bears teams in the past.

Final team outcome:

The Cal Golden Bears won the 2019 NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming and Diving title after three and a half days of action from Austin, Texas. The Golden Bears won their first team title since 2014, coincidentally that meet was in Austin as well. Cal now has four NCAA team titles this decade after winning titles in 2011, 2012, 2014 and now 2019.

The Texas Longhorns placed second in their home pool after winning four straight team titles. The Longhorns have now finished in the top two six straight years.

The Indiana Hoosiers finished third as a team, matching their finish from last year.

NC State placed fourth as a team and have now placed that high four straight seasons.

The Louisville Cardinals placed fifth, their highest finish in school history. Before this season, their highest finish was ninth in 2018 and 2012.

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