2018 MEN’S NCAA SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Wednesday, March 21 – Saturday, March 24
- Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center – Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Defending champion: Texas (3x) (results)
- Psych Sheet
- Live results
- Championship Central
- Live stream: Wednesday/Thursday Finals, All Prelims on BTN2GO; Friday/Saturday Finals on WatchESPN
Losing Jack Conger and Clark Smith on the 800 free relay may not have been as big of a deal as it appeared it would be. While the Longhorns did slip to 3rd place this year, with NC State repeating as champions and once again swimming the fastest time ever, and Indiana coming in 2nd, the Texas men were actually faster tonight in their 3rd place effort than they were last year.
Tonight’s time of 6:07.59 by Townley Haas, Jeff Newkirk, Jonathan Roberts, and Austin Katz broke the American Record that Texas set at last year‘s NCAAs in their 2nd-place effort by over a second.
Texas, 2017:
Jack Conger – 1:31.54
Jeff Newkirk – 1:33.25
Clark Smith – 1:33.40
Townley Haas – 1:30.42
Total: 6:08.61
Texas, 2018:
Townley Haas – 1:30.41
Jeff Newkirk – 1:32.58
Jonathan Roberts – 1:32.36
Austin Katz – 1:32.24
Total: 6:07.59
While they may have faded one spot back in the standings, tonight’s effort seems to bode well for Texas, as each swimmer on the relay set a new personal best. While Haas lost out to Blake Pieroni in his quest to become the first man to break 1:30, his leadoff time was faster than either of his individual times the past two years, when he won the individual 200 free championship. Newkirk was just a hair faster than he was at last year’s Big 12 Championships, Roberts broke 1:33 for the first time, and Katz was over a second and a half faster than he was at last December’s Texas Hall of Fame Invite.
Tonight, NC State and Indiana both had swimmers who represent other countries internationally, meaning they were ineligible to set the American Record, while all four of the Texas men are eligible to represent the United States, including Haas, who earned a gold medal in 2016 as part of the USA’s 4×200 free relay.
Never thought they would use Roberts in this race. Dropped 3 secs from his Big 12 performances.
Definitely bode well for his 2 back and IM races.
Predict 3.37 4im
1.41.0 2im
1.37 2back for him in this weekend.
If relays are any indication of being ready, the IU guys looked incredibly strong. Watch the ‘Horns, IU, and NCS have several more head to heads….
And to be clear I am talking about the individual times not being any faster than they were in season, not the overall placement of six
Not a good result for Cal and if this is any indication they don’t look like they will hang with Texas.
Long way to go though
Seliskar looked good.
California is overrated. But since it is the 1st day, i don’t want to underestimate California first. They may come back stronger for the next few days. Texas dropped huge amount of time as compared to Big 12. I bet some fans are surprised Texas clocked 6:07. It shows they can deliver when it matters.
They delivered a third.
They delivered a third, which is precisely what they should reasonably expect given their current roster of 200 free guys. Maybe Schooling could have been a second faster than Roberts or Katz? Wouldn’t change the outcome. And Texas looking fast in that relay compared to their in season times tells you the team could be primed for this meet.
Schooling will do the heavy lifting for the remaining relays.
I thought Texas was the 200 free factory???
Bit of a turd from Cal – and I’m saying that as a Cal fan.
Congrats! Keep the ball rolling. Tomorrow onwards will be exciting. Hope Texas can win the 200 free relay.
Alright, credit for four red-blooded ‘murricans on the relay. Golf clap.
Where’s conger when you need him? You let me down in the pick em contest texas… you let me down!
On the flipside… hard to argue with a 6:07.
If you picked Texas to win you only have yourself to blame
Texas is not the favourite to win 800 free relay.
If Katz just dropped 1.5 seconds in the 200 free from mid season, he’s gonna be terrifying in the 200 Back where he was already 1:38 mid season…
I thought the 4 Texas guys looked better than the 4 Cal guys. I know it’s a small sample size, but I believe Texas seems to be on more so than Cal. And as well as NC State and IU swam, I don’t think either have the depth to compete with Texas and Cal for the team title.
Only saw the splits, but agreed. Seliskar is on, others for Cal were “meh.”
Yep. Look out for Ronny Joberts in the 2bk as well with that split. He had a great summer 2017 in that event as well and has been minimally rested midseason if his 200fr drop is any indication.