NCAA Men’s Championships: Florida Edges Cal For 400 Freestyle Relay Title As Both Squads Shatter NCAA Record
The outcome of the team-championship race was already decided heading into the final event of the NCAA Men’s 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.
Fending off a late charge by Destin Lasco, the Gators’ Maguire McDuff 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’s third of the competition – complementing earlier victories in the 200 freestyle relay and 400 medley relay.
“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.”
All three produced NCAA records.
“It was definitely something,” Florida’s Josh Liendo said. “I knew how capable Maguire was. I was watching them and see him hit that wall and get it done, it was amazing.”
After claiming the individual crown in the 100 freestyle earlier in the session, Liendo led off for the Gators in 40.66 and was followed by Adam Chaney and his split of 41.10. Meanwhile, Cal was jumpstarted by Bjorn Seeliger and his effort of 41.50, which was followed by a 40.51 performance from Jack Alexy.
“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.”
Julian Smith kept the Gators in front on the third leg, thanks to a split of 41.26, but the Bears’ Matt Jensen went 41.12 to slightly cut into Cal’s deficit. On the anchor leg, McDuff’s 41.05 was just enough to secure gold for Florida, as Lasco – who enjoyed a superb meet – closed in 40.95 and nearly pulled off an epic comeback.
“Last year I was a relay alternate. I just wanted to add to it and give it my best,” Smith said.
The former NCAA record was held by North Carolina State, which clocked 2:44.31 during the final event of the 2018 NCAA Champs.
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 clocked 40.55 on the second leg.
Event 21 Men 400 Yard Freestyle Relay
==================================================================================
NCAA: N 2:44.31 3/24/2018 NC State
R Held, J Ress, J Molacek, C Stewart
Meet: M 2:44.31 3/24/2018 NC State
R Held, J Ress, J Molacek, C Stewart
American: A 2:44.31 3/24/2018 NC State
R Held, J Ress, J Molacek, C Stewart
U. S. Open: O 2:44.31 3/24/2018 NC State
R Held, J Ress, J Molacek, C Stewart
Pool: P 2:44.31 3/24/2018 North Carolina State
Held, Ress, Molacek, Stewart
School Seed Finals Points
==================================================================================
1 Florida 2:46.42 2:44.07N 40
1) Liendo, Josh FR 2) r:0.14 Chaney, Adam JR
3) r:0.29 Smith, Julian SO 4) r:0.08 McDuff, Macguire SO
r:+0.61 19.14 40.66 (40.66)
1:00.17 (19.51) 1:21.76 (41.10)
1:41.13 (19.37) 2:03.02 (41.26)
2:22.39 (19.37) 2:44.07 (41.05)
2 California 2:45.67 2:44.08N 34
1) Seeliger, Bjorn JR 2) r:0.17 Alexy, Jack SO
3) r:0.21 Jensen, Matthew JR 4) r:0.05 Lasco, Destin JR
r:+0.69 19.62 41.50 (41.50)
1:00.71 (19.21) 1:22.01 (40.51)
1:41.47 (19.46) 2:03.13 (41.12)
2:22.64 (19.51) 2:44.08 (40.95)
3 ASU 2:46.14 2:45.12 32
1) Kulow, Jonny FR 2) r:0.29 Marchand, Leon SO
3) r:0.16 House, Grant 5Y 4) r:0.30 Dolan, Jack SR
r:+0.62 19.70 41.89 (41.89)
1:01.39 (19.50) 1:22.44 (40.55)
1:41.84 (19.40) 2:03.57 (41.13)
2:22.79 (19.22) 2:45.12 (41.55)
4 NC State 2:47.32 2:47.09 30
1) Henderson, Noah SR 2) r:0.10 Piszczorowicz, tosz SR
3) r:0.31 Korstanje, Nyls SR 4) r:0.23 Izzo, Giovanni 5Y
r:+0.62 19.86 42.31 (42.31)
1:01.74 (19.43) 1:23.36 (41.05)
1:42.94 (19.58) 2:05.39 (42.03)
2:24.55 (19.16) 2:47.09 (41.70)
5 Texas 2:49.15 2:47.15 28
1) Krueger, Danny 5Y 2) r:0.18 Hobson, Luke SO
3) r:0.27 Corbeau, Caspar SR 4) r:0.33 Larson, Peter SR
r:+0.68 20.14 42.19 (42.19)
1:01.64 (19.45) 1:23.62 (41.43)
1:43.00 (19.38) 2:05.34 (41.72)
2:25.10 (19.76) 2:47.15 (41.81)
6 Indiana 2:48.11 2:47.17 26
1) Mathias, Van 5Y 2) r:0.09 Frankel, Tomer JR
3) r:0.07 Wight, Gavin JR 4) r:0.22 Miroslaw, Rafael SO
r:+0.64 19.90 41.50 (41.50)
1:01.37 (19.87) 1:23.52 (42.02)
1:43.15 (19.63) 2:05.37 (41.85)
2:25.22 (19.85) 2:47.17 (41.80)
7 Tennessee 2:46.25 2:47.19 24
1) Santos, Guilherme FR 2) r:0.26 Crooks, Jordan SO
3) r:0.38 Kammann, Bjoern SO 4) r:0.05 Tarasenko, Aleksey 5Y
r:+0.62 19.90 41.68 (41.68)
1:00.92 (19.24) 1:22.69 (41.01)
1:42.52 (19.83) 2:04.86 (42.17)
2:24.91 (20.05) 2:47.19 (42.33)
8 Stanford 2:48.40 2:47.61 22
1) Maurer, Luke JR 2) r:0.18 Minakov, Andrei JR
3) r:0.36 Polonsky, Ron SO 4) r:0.37 Dupont Cabrera,dres FR
r:+0.63 20.36 42.28 (42.28)
1:01.56 (19.28) 1:23.39 (41.11)
1:43.29 (19.90) 2:05.67 (42.28)
2:25.35 (19.68) 2:47.61 (41.94)
9 Auburn 2:50.02 2:48.23 18
1) Tirheimer, Logan JR 2) r:0.14 Makinen, Kalle FR
3) r:0.28 Husband, Ryan JR 4) r:0.16 Stoffle, Aidan SR
r:+0.63 20.34 42.74 (42.74)
1:02.11 (19.37) 1:24.29 (41.55)
1:44.07 (19.78) 2:06.31 (42.02)
2:26.02 (19.71) 2:48.23 (41.92)
10 VT 2:48.06 2:48.34 14
1) Ramadan, Youssef JR 2) r:0.14 Dominguez CalonLuis SO
3) r:0.30 Coll Marti, Carles JR 4) r:0.26 Hayon, Will FR
r:+0.55 19.84 41.70 (41.70)
1:01.47 (19.77) 1:23.58 (41.88)
1:43.96 (20.38) 2:06.21 (42.63)
2:25.95 (19.74) 2:48.34 (42.13)
11 Louisville 2:48.94 2:48.93 12
1) Eastman, Michael 5Y 2) r:0.33 Brooks, Guy FR
3) r:0.16 Lowe, Dalton JR 4) r:0.32 Elaraby, Abdelrhman SR
r:+0.64 20.13 42.52 (42.52)
1:02.56 (20.04) 1:24.69 (42.17)
1:44.46 (19.77) 2:07.00 (42.31)
2:26.60 (19.60) 2:48.93 (41.93)
12 Alabama 2:49.64 2:49.41 10
1) Hawke, Charlie SO 2) r:0.22 Alves, Kaique SO
3) r:0.12 Korstanje, Tim FR 4) r:-0.01 Menke, Matt SR
r:+0.66 20.43 42.72 (42.72)
1:02.47 (19.75) 1:24.71 (41.99)
1:44.79 (20.08) 2:07.38 (42.67)
2:26.67 (19.29) 2:49.41 (42.03)
13 Virginia 2:49.15 2:49.53 8
1) Brownstead, Matt JR 2) r:0.16 Aikins, Jack SO
3) r:0.28 Boyle, Connor SO 4) r:0.15 Lamb, August SR
r:+0.60 20.21 42.57 (42.57)
1:02.12 (19.55) 1:24.58 (42.01)
1:44.57 (19.99) 2:07.21 (42.63)
2:26.92 (19.71) 2:49.53 (42.32)
14 Georgia 2:49.06 2:49.65 6
1) Branzell, Reese SO 2) r:0.18 Hils, Zach SR
3) r:0.12 Dunham, Bradley SR 4) r:0.25 Downing, Dillon SR
r:+0.66 20.32 42.32 (42.32)
1:01.99 (19.67) 1:24.44 (42.12)
1:44.60 (20.16) 2:07.24 (42.80)
2:27.10 (19.86) 2:49.65 (42.41)
15 Ohio St 2:49.88 2:49.94 4
1) Gaziev, Ruslan JR 2) r:0.25 Ward, James SR
3) r:0.25 McDonald, Mario JR 4) r:0.12 Baltes, Daniel SO
r:+0.65 20.11 41.79 (41.79)
1:01.64 (19.85) 1:24.03 (42.24)
1:44.12 (20.09) 2:06.71 (42.68)
2:26.95 (20.24) 2:49.94 (43.23)
16 Michigan 2:49.44 2:50.03 2
1) Szabados, Bence JR 2) r:0.05 Peel, Cam SR
3) r:0.05 Acin, Nikola 5Y 4) r:0.29 Davis, Wyatt JR
r:+0.66 20.21 42.91 (42.91)
1:02.42 (19.51) 1:25.25 (42.34)
1:44.85 (19.60) 2:07.30 (42.05)
2:27.51 (20.21) 2:50.03 (42.73)
17 Missouri 2:50.29 2:50.31
1) Dahlgren, Jack 5Y 2) r:0.21 Bochenski, Grant SO
3) r:0.22 Patton, Ben SR 4) r:0.14 Secchi, Clement 5Y
r:+0.61 20.35 42.47 (42.47)
1:02.28 (19.81) 1:24.89 (42.42)
1:45.08 (20.19) 2:07.59 (42.70)
2:27.46 (19.87) 2:50.31 (42.72)
18 Notre Dame 2:50.14 2:50.61
1) Guiliano, Chris SO 2) r:0.14 Wilburn, Cason SR
3) r:0.28 DeLong, Alec SR 4) r:0.13 Scannell, Thacher SR
r:+0.66 19.95 41.71 (41.71)
1:01.87 (20.16) 1:24.88 (43.17)
1:44.96 (20.08) 2:07.75 (42.87)
2:27.67 (19.92) 2:50.61 (42.86)
19 TAMU 2:50.20 2:50.67
1) Foote, Connor FR 2) r:0.23 Bratanov, Koko SR
3) r:+0.00 Fuchs, Collin JR 4) r:0.08 Nelson, Baylor FR
r:+0.64 20.65 43.31 (43.31)
1:02.95 (19.64) 1:25.68 (42.37)
1:45.50 (19.82) 2:08.34 (42.66)
2:28.18 (19.84) 2:50.67 (42.33)
20 Wisconsin 2:51.47 2:50.95
1) Torepe-Ormsby, Taiko FR 2) r:-0.02 Newmark, Jake JR
3) r:0.30 Benson, Andrew JR 4) r:0.09 Wiegand, Ben SO
r:+0.49 20.36 43.39 (43.39)
1:03.28 (19.89) 1:25.34 (41.95)
1:45.27 (19.93) 2:08.47 (43.13)
2:28.26 (19.79) 2:50.95 (42.48)
21 UNC 2:50.94 2:51.63
1) Hussey, Patrick JR 2) r:0.28 Dramm, Louis FR
3) r:0.11 Rutberg, Noah JR 4) r:0.23 Sungaila, Tomas 5Y
r:+0.68 20.26 42.61 (42.61)
1:02.76 (20.15) 1:25.62 (43.01)
1:45.68 (20.06) 2:08.46 (42.84)
2:28.80 (20.34) 2:51.63 (43.17)
22 Harvard 2:51.23 2:52.68
1) Holmquist, Marcus JR 2) r:0.29 Grant, Will JR
3) r:0.15 Simpson, Jared SR 4) r:0.13 Linnihan, Ryan SR
r:+0.65 20.68 43.19 (43.19)
1:03.80 (20.61) 1:26.87 (43.68)
1:47.03 (20.16) 2:09.61 (42.74)
2:29.61 (20.00) 2:52.68 (43.07)
23 Pittsburgh 2:51.81 2:53.04
1) Goncharov, Stepan FR 2) r:+0.00 Toledo Sanchezinic SR
3) r:0.12 Crisci, Flynn SR 4) r:0.15 Goraj, Marcin JR
r:+0.60 20.20 43.55 (43.55)
1:03.63 (20.08) 1:26.34 (42.79)
1:46.30 (19.96) 2:09.55 (43.21)
2:30.00 (20.45) 2:53.04 (43.49)
-- Arizona 2:49.90 DQ
Early take-off swimmer #3
1) Daleiden Ciuferri, Ralph FR 2) r:0.17 Palmer, Tommy FR
3) r:-0.08 Perham, Ryan JR 4) r:0.27 Ercegovic, Marin 5Y
r:+0.61 20.54 42.90 (42.90)
1:03.16 (20.26) 1:25.93 (43.03)
1:45.50 (19.57) 2:07.75 (41.82)
2:27.43 (19.68) DQ (41.96)
Men - Team Rankings - Through Event 21
1. California 482 2. Arizona St 430
3. Texas 384 4. Indiana 379
5. NC State 373.5 6. Florida 367.5
7. Tennessee 216.5 8. Stanford 143.5
9. Virginia Tech 133 10. Auburn 127
11. Ohio St 112 12. Georgia 96
13. Louisville 92 14. Texas A&M 80
15. Virginia 78 16. Lsu 62.5
16. Missouri 62.5 18. Notre Dame 62
19. Alabama 57 20. Michigan 37
21. Minnesota 36 22. Southern California 31
23. Miami 27 23. UNC 27
23. Wisconsin 27 26. South Carolina 15
27. Utah 14 28. Princeton 13
28. Siuc 13 28. Kentucky 13
31. Columbia 12 32. Arizona 11
33. Penn St 4 33. Pittsburgh 4
35. Georgia Tech 3 36. Air Force 2
36. Towson 2 38. Purdue 1
