Steve Schaffer and Mark Nikolaev Recap First All-America Swimmer for Grand Canyon University (VIDEO INTERVIEW)

steve schaffer, mark nikolaev, grand canyon university

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

When Grand Canyon University junior Mark Nikolaev finished third in the 100 back final at the men’s NCAA championships, he became the first-ever male athlete from his school in any sport to earn Division I All-America status. GCU only received full Division I status in 2017-18 and made their debut at last year’s NCAA championships. The next day, Nikolaev and GCU head coach Steve Schaffer explained the meaning of that standout performance.

Nikolaev described his emotions at qualifying for the final and then finishing third and what it has been like to swim at the NCAA meet the past two years. Schaffer explained how this result can push the program forward and also why he and his staff employed a top-down building approach to make a quick impact on the NCAA level.

Full recap of 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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Anonymous

6 years ago

Inspiring!