{"id":526246,"date":"2023-03-25T19:14:52","date_gmt":"2023-03-26T02:14:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=526246"},"modified":"2023-03-25T20:37:03","modified_gmt":"2023-03-26T03:37:03","slug":"ncaa-mens-championships-florida-edges-cal-for-400-freestyle-relay-title-as-both-squads-shatter-ncaa-record","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/ncaa-mens-championships-florida-edges-cal-for-400-freestyle-relay-title-as-both-squads-shatter-ncaa-record\/","title":{"rendered":"NCAA Men’s Championships: Florida Edges Cal For 400 Freestyle Relay Title As Both Squads Shatter NCAA Record"},"content":{"rendered":"

NCAA Men’s Championships: Florida Edges Cal For 400 Freestyle Relay Title As Both Squads Shatter NCAA Record<\/strong><\/p>\n

The outcome of the team-championship race was already decided heading into the final event of the NCAA Men\u2019s Championships, the California Golden Bears repeating as titlists. But the 400-yard freestyle relay still offered up plenty of drama, as Florida and Cal each cracked the NCAA record and were separated by the slimmest of margins at the finish.<\/p>\n

Fending off a late charge by Destin Lasco<\/strong>, the Gators\u2019 Maguire McDuff<\/strong> got his hand on the wall first, enabling Florida to set an NCAA standard of 2:44.07, with Cal right behind in 2:44.08. It was a fitting finish for a meet that flashed speed throughout its four-day length, and the triumph marked Florida\u2019s third of the competition \u2013 complementing earlier victories in the 200 freestyle relay and 400 medley relay.<\/p>\n

“I hit the last turn and I was like, ‘Holy s—, he’s gonna get me,” McDuff said. “I just wanted to win. That is all training. I just had to get it done. I just put my head down and finish. I am so nervous behind the blocks. It could be a 20-man relay and I could be 14th and I would be nervous. But it works.”<\/p>\n

All three produced NCAA records.<\/p>\n

“It was definitely something,” Florida’s Josh Liendo<\/strong> said. “I knew how capable Maguire was. I was watching them and see him hit that wall and get it done, it was amazing.”<\/p>\n

After claiming the individual crown in the 100 freestyle<\/a> earlier in the session, Liendo led off for the Gators in 40.66 and was followed by Adam Chaney<\/strong> and his split of 41.10. Meanwhile, Cal was jumpstarted by Bjorn Seeliger<\/strong> and his effort of 41.50, which was followed by a 40.51 performance from Jack Alexy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

“The 400 free relay is special to us, especially after last year,” Chaney said. “We focused each relay on getting it done for the seniors.”<\/p>\n

Julian Smith<\/strong> kept the Gators in front on the third leg, thanks to a split of 41.26, but the Bears\u2019 Matt Jensen<\/strong> went 41.12 to slightly cut into Cal\u2019s deficit. On the anchor leg, McDuff\u2019s 41.05 was just enough to secure gold for Florida, as Lasco \u2013 who enjoyed a superb meet \u2013 closed in 40.95 and nearly pulled off an epic comeback.<\/p>\n

“Last year I was a relay alternate. I just wanted to add to it and give it my best,” Smith said.<\/p>\n

The former NCAA record was held by North Carolina State, which clocked 2:44.31 during the final event of the 2018 NCAA Champs.<\/p>\n

Arizona State, which finished runner-up to Cal in the team standings, took third in the relay, with the Sun Devils going 2:45.12. The star of the meet, Leon Marchand<\/strong> clocked 40.55 on the second leg.<\/p>\n