Alabama
Men's NCAA Championships
Alabama Swimming & Diving Takes Seventh at the 2019 Men’s NCAA Championships
3/30/2019 8:54:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
It is the Crimson Tide’s fourth top-10 finish in the past five years and sixth top-15 finish in a row at the national championships
AUSTIN, Texas – Behind an NCAA title in the 200 medley relay and a collection of gutsy swims over the course of the meet, the Alabama swimming and diving team took seventh place at the 2019 Men's NCAA Championships with 142 points.
"I'm really pleased with the way we finished in the team standing," UA head coach Dennis Pursley said. "To be seventh in the nation and second among SEC schools is a great showing."
California won the team title, followed by Texas, Indiana, N.C. State, Louisville and Florida. Harvard, Ohio State and Virginia rounded out the top 10.
It was the Crimson Tide's fourth top-10 finish in the past five years and sixth-consecutive top-15 finish at the national championships. It was also Alabama's best finish since taking sixth in 2016 and its 16th top-10 finish since first breaking into the national standings in 1973.
"I'm thrilled for our seniors who finished as NCAA champions in the 200 medley relay and with one of the highest finishes in program history," Pursley said. "It's really just a great way to wrap up the season."
The Tide got another top-five finish from senior Robert Howard in its final individual race of the meet. The Alexander City, Ala., native posted a 41.75 in the 100 freestyle to take fifth place.
Alabama then closed out the meet, and locked up its seventh-place team finish, with a time of 2:48.92 from Howard, seniors Laurent Bams and Knox Auerbach and junior Zane Waddell to the consolation final of the 400 freestyle relay and take ninth overall.
In prelims, freshman Nicholas Perera posted a career-best 1:56.95 in the 200 breaststroke to take 45th place. His time ranks him eighth all-time at UA.
For all the latest information on the Alabama swimming and diving teams, follow AlabamaSwimDive on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. General athletic news can be found @UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
