March 22, 2018
Men's NCAAs - Thursday Prelims
MINNEAPOLIS - Zach Apple went sub-19 on two 50 free legs and will swim in the A Final of the 50 free and be a part of Auburn's 200 free relay in the B Final on Thursday night at the 2018 NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships at the University of Minnesota. Hugo Gonzalez will also be back, swimming in the B Final of the 200 IM, as will the 400 medley relay.
200 Freestyle Relay
Zach Apple led off in 18.98, going sub-19 for the second time this season, as Auburn finished 10th in 1:16.59 and will occupy Lane 5 of tonight's consolation final. His leadoff was the second-fastest leadoff of the morning. Peter Holoda took second leg duties with a 19.03, followed by Liam McCloskey (19.72). Santiago Grassi closed in 18.86, the fourth-fastest anchor of the morning, moving the team up from fifth to third in the heat.
Auburn was seeded 21st coming into the meet at 1:17.92.
500 Freestyle
Swimming in his first NCAA event, Josh Dannhauser finished 45th in 4:22.31.
200 IM
Hugo Gonzalez is in the B Final after going 1:42.78 this morning. His time is the ninth-fastest performance in school history, giving him four of the top nine performances in school history.
50 Freestyle
Zach Apple will be back in the A Final for a second straight year after going 18.97, which seeds him sixth in tonight's race. The junior has now broken the 19 second barrier five times in his career, including twice during the Thursday morning session.
Santiago Grassi went a personal best 19.57, shaving .10 seconds off his time from SECs, taking second in his heat to finish 33rd. Peter Holoda finished 35th in 19.59 and Luis Martinez went 19.89, which was .04 away from his personal best, to finish 44th.
400 Medley Relay
Auburn will be in the B Final after going 3:06.52 to take fourth in its heat with the 15th-fastest qualifying time overall. Hugo Gonzalez led off in 47.05 followed by Tommy Brewer (51.79), Santiago Grassi (45.54) and Peter Holoda (42.14).
Thursday night's finals begin at 6:00 p.m. CT. Live stats and video are available through Minnesota's website, gophersports.com.
2018 NCAA S&D Championships
NCAA Champions & Auburn Finishes
200 Freestyle Relay
10. Auburn -- 1:16.59 (Apple - 18.98, Holoda -- 19.03, McCloskey -- 19.72, Grassi -- 18.86)
500 Freestyle
45. Josh Dannhauser -- 4:22.31
200 IM
15. Hugo Gonzalez -- 1:42.78
50 Freestyle
6. Zach Apple -- 18.97
35. Santiago Grassi -- 19.57 (PR)
37. Peter Holoda -- 19.59
44. Luis Martinez -- 19.89
400 Medley Relay
15. Auburn 3:06.52 (Gonzalez -- 47.05, Brewer -- 51.79, Grassi -- 45.54, Holoda -- 42.14)