Ryan Lochte Named NCAA Male Swimmer of the Year
Sunday, March 26, 2006 | Men's Swimming & Diving
University of Florida senior Ryan Lochte (Daytona Beach, Fla.) was named the NCAA Male Swimmer of the Year for the second consecutive year after winning three titles at the 2006 NCAA Championships this past weekend in Atlanta.
Lochte completed his collegiate career on Sunday night by winning 200 backstroke in an NCAA and American record time of 1:37.68. During his four-year career, Lochte won seven NCAA titles (six individual, one relay), which is the most by any swimmer in school history. He won his first title in the 400 IM during the 2004 championships and followed up with victories in the 200 back, 200 IM and 800 free relay at the 2005 championships.
During the 2006 NCAA Championships, Lochte won the 200 IM in an NCAA and American record time of 1:40.55. He also set an NCAA record time of 44.60 in the 100 backstroke. Lochte won the 400 IM for the second time in his career with yet another NCAA record time of 3:38.15.
In addition to his success in the post-season, Lochte also was the most dominate swimmer during the regular-season. He currently holds the UF records in the 100 free, 200 free, 100 back, 200 back, 100 fly, 200 IM and 400 IM. Lochte was also a part of the record setting 400 FR, 800 FR, 200 MR and 400 MR teams. Lochte won 26 consecutive dual-meet races in 2005-06 and did not lose a dual-meet race since his sophomore year.
Lochte joins Greg Burges (1993) and Martin Zubero (1991) as the only Gator swimmers to receive NCAA Male Swimmer of the Year honors.
A 24-time All-American winner and two-time Olympic medalist, Lochte will travel to China to represent the United States in the World Short Course Swimming Championships later this week. Lochte plans to reside in Gainesville next season and continue training for the 2008 Olympics.
-UF-
