Reported by Robert Gibbs.
MEN’S 100 FREE
Indiana’s Blake Pieroni, despite sporting a beard, won this race by over a second, in 42.40. That gives him the fastest time in NCAA this season. That mark had belonged to Big Ten teammate and Penn State swimmer Shane Ryan, who is here, but didn’t compete in this event. Cameron Craig, an ASU swimmer representing the USA All-Stars, touched 2nd in 43.53, a new personal best for him.
MEN’S 800 FREE RELAY
The men’s race was much closer, as Grothe outsplit Ohio State’s Josh Fleagle 1:33.48 to 1:34.10 to give the USA the win here, 6:19.62 to the Big Ten’s 6:19.80. Pieroni gave the Big Ten a lead with a 1:33.74 lead off leg that gives him the fastest individual 200 free in the country by over two seconds so far this year and put him ahead of Shields. Anze Tavcar and Brett Pinfold continued to hold the lead for the Big Ten over national teamers Lehane and Pebley, but Grothe pulled ahead of Fleagle halfway through their leg and held on the for the win.
