2016 MEN’S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Wednesday, March 23 – Saturday, March 26
- McAuley Aquatic Center – Atlanta, GA
- Prelims 10AM/Finals 6PM (Eastern Time)
- Defending Champion: Texas (results)
- Championship Central
- Live stream: Wednesday/Thursday prelins & finals, Friday/Saturday prelims / Friday/Saturday finals on ESPN3
- Live results
Peter Holoda of Auburn, Brett Ringgold of Texas, and Kristian Gkolomeev of Alabama all wound up touching in at 19.18 in this morning’s 50 free. After the water was cleared for the 400 medley relays and the divers had some time to warm-up, the three gentlemen squared off for the chance to swim in tonight’s final.
Ringgold had the race at the 25, but championship experience proved to be the key for this race as Gkolomeev raced home to finish in 19.04. The Greek Olympian has been faster though. He rocketed a 18.74 in the finals of this meet last year, placing second only to the phenom Caeleb Dressel. He’ll have to dip back under the 19-second barrier if he wants a shot at a top-three finish tonight
The Texas Longhorn came next in 19.09 with the Auburn Tiger’s Hungarian landing third in 19.13. All three finished faster than their prelims swim.
Top 8 Qualifiers:
- Caeleb Dressel, Florida – 18.29
- Simonas Bilis, NC State – 18.79
- Paul Powers, Michigan – 18.99
- Ryan Held, NC State – 19.01
- Michael Chadwick, Missouri – 19.06
- Michael Trice, Georgia – 19.16
- John Murray, Texas – 19.17
- Krisitian Gkolomeev – 19.18 (19.04 swim-off)
I was very disappointed that he skipped the relay which ulimately caused his team to miss the A final (they qualified 9th). Poor decision by the coach.
In contrast Holoda swam the relay and gave a good effort in the swim off.