Switkowski on National Title: “Last year at NC’s tipped the scale”

^{Reported by Jared Anderson.}

200 IM – FINALS

• NCAA record: Caeleb Dressel (2018) – 1:38.13
• American record: Caeleb Dressel (2018) – 1:38.13
• U.S. Open record: Caeleb Dressel (2018) – 1:38.13
• 2017 NCAA Champion: Will Licon (Texas) and Mark Szaranek (Florida) — 1:40.67

Top 8 finishers:

1. Jan Switkowski, Florida – 1:39.54
2. Andreas Vazaios, NC State – 1:39.97
3. Mark Szaranek, Florida – 1:40.27
4. Abrahm Devine, Stanford – 1:40.35
5. Andrew Seliskar, Cal – 1:40.69
6. Vini Lanza, Indiana – 1:40.82
7. Gunnar Bentz, Georgia – 1:41.89
8. Ian Finnerty, Indiana – 1:44.25

The 200 IM was a thrilling four-way race in the middle lanes. In fact, the top four were separated by just two tenths at the 100 mark. Florida’s Jan Switkowski had the late fire, though, blasting a field-best 24.0 free split to snag the win in 1:39.54. That makes him the third-fastest in history and just the third man ever under 1:40.

Meanwhile NC State’s Andreas Vazaios also broke that barrier, going 1:39.97 for silver. Last year’s co-champion Mark Szaranek was third in 1:40.27. He actually dropped four tenths of a second from last year and fell backwards two places.

Stanford’s Abrahm Devine fought off Cal’s Andrew Seliskar for fourth, 1:40.35 to 1:40.69. In fact, the entire top 5 at one point joined the top 10 fastest performers in history, including Seliskar’s 1:40.40 from this morning which then sat 7th, and is now in 11th place.

Indiana’s Vini Lanza also broke 1:41, going 1:40.82. Georgia’s Gunnar Bentz was seventh and Indiana’s Ian Finnerty 8th.

Cal’s Matt Josa ran away with the B final, avenging a DQ in this event last season with a 1:41.66.

Though Florida scored big in this event, NC State still leads the team points with 107, one above the Gators. Texas is at 99 with Cal at 91, Stanford at 90 and Indiana at 76.