Vini Lanza Explains Impassioned IU Team in Austin (Video)

Reported by James Sutherland.

TEXAS VS FLORIDA VS INDIANA

MEN’S MEET

INDIANA 234, TEXAS 119

INDIANA 227, FLORIDA 126

FLORIDA 178, TEXAS 175

The Hoosier men picked up where they left off on Friday, cruising to decisive wins over the Longhorns and Gators by over 100 points. Individually, seniors Mohamed SamyIan Finnertyand Vini Lanza all picked up their second win of the meet after all winning on day 1.

Things started off in the 200 medley relay, where Gabriel Fantoni, Finnerty, Lanza and Bruno Blaskovic edged out Texas 1:27.76 to 1:27.87. Fantoni (22.30) and Lanza (20.89) had the top splits on back and fly, while Longhorn freshman Charlie Scheinfeld (24.24) out-split Finnerty (24.52) on breast, and another first-year Daniel Krueger (19.76) had the #2 split in the field on freestyle, only outdone by IU freshman Brandon Hamblin (19.63) on their ‘C’ relay.

Samy then posted the 2nd-fastest time in the nation to win the 100 free in 43.60, followed by teammates Zach Apple (43.92) and Blaskovic (43.96) in a podium sweep. Finnerty held off sophomore teammate Matthew Jerden in the 200 breast, 2:00.05 to 2:00.33, and then Lanza tied the fastest time in the country in the 100 fly in 47.14. That equalled Coleman Stewart of NC State’s mark, while the freshman Fantoni placed 2nd in 47.92 over Longhorn John Shebat (47.97).

The IU men then closed out the meet in the 400 free relay, posting the top time in the nation in 2:54.78 (passing Cal’s 2:55.16). Apple (43.97), Blaskovic (44.07) and Lanza (43.92) were all solid, and then Samy dropped a 42.82 on the anchor leg. The Gators actually led the race through 300, with Khader Baqlah (43.87), Maxime Rooney (43.86) and Kieran Smith (43.47) throwing down 43s before Christoph Margotti (44.08) got overtaken by Samy. The Texas men were right in the thick of things as well, touching 3rd in 2:45.09 with a notable 43.44 leg from Krueger.

Florida had two wins on the day, as Baqlah followed up his standout 200 free from yesterday with a win in the 500 in 4:24.25 over freshman teammate Trey Freeman (4:25.16) and Friday’s 1000 winner Michael Brinegar (4:25.56) of Indiana.

Junior Grant Sanders then posted the fastest time in the NCAA in the 400 IM, clocking 3:50.61 for the win over Smith (3:52.76).

Texas’ lone win on the day came in the 200 back, where redshirt junior Ryan Harty (1:44.08) edged out reigning NCAA champ Austin Katz (1:44.44).

Indiana also had a 1-2 finish in the 3-meter, as James Connor (423.75) and Andrew Capobianco(401.40) led the pack.

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Longhorn
5 years ago

Great swims from IU. But sitting on the lane lines? Throwing arms up asking fans to cheer louder? Felt kinda odd and creepy.

Swimmer
Reply to  Longhorn
5 years ago

They learned from wonder boy Schooling.

SVIRD
5 years ago

I like this. What, you guys want them to be stoic and boring? Seems like a bunch of guys having fun competing. Yes it ultimately doesn’t have much bearing on how NCAAs will turn out, but it’s not a crime to get fired up for some early season competition.

And no, you can’t tell me Indiana was significantly more rested than Texas for a random in season tri meet so no excuses, in this instance they won fair and square.

Go Hoosiers!
Reply to  SVIRD
5 years ago

Totally agree – I think it’d be a different story if they were celebrating like this against lesser competition, but Texas and Florida are some of the top teams. Totally agree that NCAA’s is the ultimate goal, but I see no problem with this. And while I’m an IU fan, I wouldn’t see the problem with other teams celebrating like this when they beat us. Take it as a compliment that they are so excited to win, and use it as motivation to not let it happen again down the road.

Bay City Tex
Reply to  Go Hoosiers!
5 years ago

I agree. Anytime you beat Texas, Cal, or Indiana, it’s a big deal. Indiana is a real threat to the Texas/Cal monoply in the top 2 spots. AND,
they have divers! Pulling for “one for the thumb”
but knowing it could come down to healthy divers and/or the final event. Hook ’em!

RenéDescartes
5 years ago

Very reminiscent of when NC State did this against Texas a couple years ago. We all know what happened after that.

Swimmer
Reply to  RenéDescartes
5 years ago

I remember it well. NC State smoked Texas in all the relays last year. It was awesome.

RenéDescartes
Reply to  Swimmer
5 years ago

Congrats on winning relays.

Swimmer
Reply to  RenéDescartes
5 years ago

They made a Statement. They out swan UT and scored more swimming points than UT. Texas relays were an absolute disaster last year. Divers saved the day.

William Wallace
5 years ago

Great thumbnail.

Yooz
5 years ago

Their celebration seems a little excessive

Swimmer
Reply to  Yooz
5 years ago

Beating Texas in season is nothing special

(G)olden Bear
Reply to  Yooz
5 years ago

Texas and Cal say, “See (I)U in March…”

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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