2025 Men’s NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships
- March 26-29, 2025
- Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatics Center, Federal Way, Washington
- Short Course Yards (25 yards)
- Start Times: Prelims: 10 AM ׀ Finals: 6 PM (Pacific Daylight Time)
- Psych Sheet
- Eligible Relays
- SwimSwam Preview Index
- Live Results
- Live Recaps
The heat sheets have dropped for the final prelims session of 2025 NCAAs, and the biggest scratch is #9 seed Julian Smith in the 100 freestyle. This one had been in the works ever since he was included in Florida’s 200 freestyle relay on Day 2, an event he did not swim at SECs. This means that his NCAA schedule this year exactly matches his 2024 lineup, where he also swam in five relays.
Smith has been on fire so far this season and took home an NCAA title last night in the 100 breaststroke. On Day 1 he sliced 0.01 of his own fastest ever split in the 50 breaststroke on the 200 medley relay, although that relay was disqualified. He also finished sixth in the 200 IM on Day 2.
While Smith has made his mark as a breaststroker this season, he has historically been a spring freestyler. At last summer’s Olympic Trials, for example, he finished 24th in the 50 meter free (22.42) and 22nd in the 100 meter free (49.05), but didn’t swim any breaststroke.
The decision to be made was whether Smith’s omission from the 400 free relay would cost Florida more points than he stood to gain in the 100 free. With Florida seeded second but Arizona State, Cal and Texas looking ominous, shoring up that relay was the priority. Florida will still have representation in the 100 free, with Josh Liendo, Alex Painter and Ed Fullum-Hout entered. Liendo and Painter are seeded to score, and the Gators will need every possible point if they are to narrow the gap to Indiana above them.
The DQ in the 200 medley on day 1, after touching first and going under the NCAA Record, mostly eliminated Florida from NCAA title contention, meaning that decisions on single-digit point swings have become less crucial.
