Dean Farris Excited to Have Harvard on the Scoreboard (VIDEO INTERVIEW)

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

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Dean Farris swam the second-fastest time in history in Friday’s 100 back final on his way to capturing his first NCAA title. After the race, Farris joked in an interview that his decision to skip the 200 free (in which he swam the fastest time in history leading off a relay Wednesday night) looked good after his 100 back win.

Farris then commented on how his summer training with the Texas pros translated into short course success this year. He also discussed Harvard’s rise up the standings, from not scoring at all at the NCAA championships shortly before he arrived to 18th last year to a potential top-ten finish this year. He has been enjoying that the scoreboard “doesn’t even have to scroll and Harvard is on the board.”

Full recap from 100 back final:

Harvard junior Dean Farris blistered the 100 back final on Friday night at the 2019 NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships with a 43.66 to scare Ryan Murphy’s 43.49 NCAA and American Record from 2016.

Farris went out in a 20.85 and held on to win Harvard’s first NCAA title in 30 years. NC State’s Coleman Stewart (43.98) finished in second in the race as Farris and Stewart became the second and third swimmers to break 44 seconds in the event.

Farris is the first Harvard man to win an individual NCAA title in swimming and diving since David Berkoff won the 100 back in 1989.

Grand Canyon’s Mark Nikolaev (44.33) had the highest finish for a Grand Canyon swimmers with his swim tonight. Nikolaev moved to fifth all-time.

Texas’ John Shebat (44.71), who was second the last two years, placed fourth for the Longhorns. Texas had two A-finalists with Ryan Harty (45.05) placing fifth.

Louisville’s Nick Albiero (45.08), Cal’s Daniel Carr (45.21) and Georgia’s Javier Acevedo (45.24) also swam in the A-Final.

Harvard now has three NCAA titles in the 100 back as Farris joins Berkoff (1987, 89) as winners of the event for the Crimson.

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