SwimSwam’s Lauren Neidigh also contributed to this report.
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
In an incredibly fast and exciting race to the finish, Texas Longhorn Will Licon took the NCAA title in the men’s 200 IM. Licon, a junior, reeled in California’s Josh Prenot and Ryan Murphy to claim the NCAA title, breaking Ryan Lochte‘s pool record in the process with his time of 1:40.04. Licon is now the second fastest performer of all time in this event and also has the second fastest performance in history behind Stanford’s David Nolan.
In 2007, Ryan Lochte set the American record in this pool at 1:40.08. It wasn’t until last year that his record was knocked off by Nolan at the Pac 12 Championships. At that NCAA Championships, Licon paced with Nolan to finish second at 1:40.09, just missing Lochte’s best time. At the time, Licon’s 1:40.09 was the fourth fastest swim in history.
Take a look at the top 5 performances in history in the 200 IM:
- 1:39.38 – David Nolan – 2015 NCAA Championships
- 1:40.04 – Will Licon – 2016 NCAA Championships
- 1:40.07 – David Nolan – 2015 Pac 12 Championships
- 1:40.08 – Ryan Lochte – 2007
- 1:40.09 – Will Licon – 2015 NCAA Championships
Licon’s swim tonight was huge for the Longhorns. Through the first four events, Texas claimed every possible NCAA title.
This was a tremendous swim. He didn’t lead the entire way except when it mattered most. Didn’t look panicked whatsoever, just did his thing.
How frickin fast was Ryan Lochte in college. Geez 2007. I guess he still is pretty fast.
Pretty darn fast! My guess is that he could go sub 1.39 if he ever tapered for a SCY meet. I’m sure Phelps could possibly do the same.
I recall that he went 1.40 high at winter nats BEFORE his taper for short course worlds where he crushed his own WR!
Lochte’s 1:49.6 SCM 200 IM converts to around 1:38-high.
Lochte was a beast of a college swimmer. I think one year he had the NCAA’s fastest time in 5 different events. He also went 14:55 mile and 1:42 fly in college.