March 23, 2018
NCAA Swimming Championships - Friday Prelims
MINNEAPOLIS - Zach Apple will swim for a national title in the 200 freestyle during Friday night's finals session at the 2018 NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships at the University of Minnesota following the morning prelims session.
200 Freestyle
Apple obliterated his school record in the 200 free, smashing a 1:32.20 to take the second overall spot for tonight's final. The junior came in seeded 10th in the event but lowered his seed time by .72 seconds to occupy Lane 5 tonight. His time is only the second sub-1:33.00 200 free in school history, joining his 1:32.92 as the leadoff to the 800 free relay from the SEC Championships.
For Apple, this will be the first time he has swum in the event's championship finals after finishing 20th as a freshman and 12th as a sophomore.
Auburn has had just two NCAA titles in the 200 free, both won by Rowdy Gaines (1980 and 1981).
Rory Connell is the last Auburn swimmer to finish top eight at NCAAs in the event, taking sixth in 2006.
100 Fly
Santiago Grassi missed his seed time by .02 seconds, clocking a 45.75 to finish in a tie for 19th in prelims. Liam McCloskey was in a similar situation, adding.05 seconds to his time to finish in 45.80 and take 22nd in the event. Both of those times are among the top 15 performances in school history. Luis Martinez finished 28th in 46.21.
100 Breaststroke
Tommy Brewer clocked a 52.94 to finish sixth in his heat and 25th overall.
400 IM
Hugo Gonzalez finished 30th in 3:46.19.
200 Medley Relay
Auburn finished 22nd in 1:25.62. Gonzalez led off in 21.94 followed by Brewer (24.24), McCloskey (20.30) and Grassi (19.14).
The championships continue Friday night at 6:00 p.m. CT with finals of the 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast, 100 back, 200 medley relay and 3-meter diving. Live scoring is available through gophersports.com and ESPN3 will provide the broadcast.
2018 NCAA S&D Championships
NCAA Champions & Auburn Finishes
400 IM
30. Hugo Gonzalez -- 3:46.19
100 Butterfly
T19. Santiago Grassi -- 45.75
22. Liam McCloskey -- 45.80
28. Luis Martinez -- 46.21
200 Freestyle
2. Zach Apple -- 1:32.20
100 Breaststroke
25. Tommy Brewer -- 52.94
200 Medley Relay
22. Auburn -- 1:25.62 (Gonzalez -- 21.94, Brewer -- 24.24, McCloskey -- 20.30, Grassi -- 19.14)