Florida Collects 15 All-America Honors on Day Two of NCAA Championships
Saturday, March 28, 2015 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Day Two Results | NCAA Championships Central Page
IOWA CITY, IA – The University of Florida men's swimming & diving team amassed 15 All-America honors on day two of the 2015 NCAA Championships. This week's meet is being held at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center Natatorium in Iowa City, Iowa.
UF heads into the final day of competition in fourth place with 205 team points. The Gators are ranked behind Texas (399), California (275) and Michigan (210).
Sophomore Jack Blyzinskyj paced Florida as he picked up his fourth and fifth-career All-American honors on day two. Individually, the Weston, Mass. native placed sixth in the B-Final of the 100-yard backstroke in a time of 46.44 seconds. His mark in the prelims, 45.81 seconds, ranked him third in program history.
Speaking of top-times in school history, Blyzinskyj combined with senior Ricky Munch, freshman Caeleb Dressel and junior Corey Main to reset UF's 200-yard medley relay mark during this morning's prelims with a time of 1:24.14. In the finals, this group placed seventh with a time of 1:24.16 and earned All-American accolades.
In the other relay of the night, the 800-yard freestyle, senior Dan Wallace, juniors Corey Main and Pawel Werner and sophomore Mitch D'Arrigo recorded a time of 6:17.12 in the timed final, which placed them seventh and earned them each All-American tributes as well.
Back to the individual events.
Senior Dan Wallace and freshman Mark Szaranek led the Gators in the 400-yard individual medley as they finished sixth and seventh in the A-Final with times of 3:42.15 and 3:42.43, respectively. Wallace, who was the runner-up finisher in this race a season ago, picked up his ninth-career All-American tribute, while it was Szaranek's second-career honor.
In addition to Blyzinskyj, seniors Carlos Omana (400 IM: 12th – 3:43.45) and Christian Homer (100 Fly: 14th – 46.22), sophomore Mitch D'Arrigo (200 Free: 12th – 1:34.34) and freshman Caeleb Dressel (100 Fly: 9th – 45.69) each earned an honorable mention All-American accolade this evening.
UF is back in action tomorrow for the third and final day of the NCAA Championships with prelims beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET and finals at 8:00 p.m. For ways to follow and watch tomorrow's action, click here.
Coaches Corner:
Head Coach Gregg Troy:
On day two of the NCAA Championships…
“Well it wasn't quite as good as yesterday was for us. We had a good day, but not a great day. We weren't quite as sharp this morning as we missed a few spots where we thought we should've been up a place, but we raced tough all day. We got some great relay splits from Dan Wallace and Corey Main in the 800 freestyle relay this evening. But, we just have to come in tomorrow and be ready to go.”
On how UF stacks up against the field…
“We know it's a dog fight. I think Texas is pretty far in front of everyone, but there is about six teams all fighting for those second through six spots. It's going to come to who comes in tomorrow morning ready to go and compete.”
Talking Gators:
Senior Ricky Munch:
On earning his second-career All-American honor in the 200 MR…
“It felt great. I was able to end my swimming career on a great note. I was happy that we were able to swim in the A-Final tonight and break a school record.”
On what UF needs to do on day three
“Historically, the final day of the NCAA Championships is our best day. We're in a tight race with a bunch of good teams and we are all motivated to come in tomorrow morning and do well.”
Caeleb Dressel picked up two more All-American honors on day two. Photo: Tim Casey
NCAA Championships Standings – Day 2
| MEN | ||
| Rank | Team | Score |
| 1. | Texas | 399 |
| 2. | California | 275 |
| 3. | Michigan | 210 |
| 4. | Florida | 205 |
| 5. | USC | 197 |
| 6. | Stanford | 156 |
| 7. | Georgia | 148.5 |
| 8. | Auburn | 131 |
| 9. | Alabama | 127 |
| 10. | NC State | 104.5 |
NCAA Champions:
- Caeleb Dressel – 50 Free (18.67)
All-Americans:
Through day two of competition at the NCAA Championships, Florida has earned 29 All-American honors, including:
- Jack Blyzinskyj – 100 Back*, 200 MR, 400 MR
- Matt Curby – 200 FR*
- Mitch D'Arrigo – 200 Free*, 500 Free, 800 FR
- Caeleb Dressel – 50 Free, 100 Fly*, 200 FR*, 200 MR, 400 MR
- Matt Elliott – 400 MR
- Arthur Frayler – 500 Free*
- Christian Homer – 100 Fly*, 400 MR
- Corey Main – 200 FR*, 800 FR, 200 MR
- Ricky Munch – 200 MR
- Carlos Omana – 400 IM*
- Eduardo Solaeche-Gomez – 200 IM
- Mark Szaranek – 200 IM*, 400 IM
- Dan Wallace – 500 Free, 400 IM, 800 FR
- Pawel Werner – 200 Free*, 800 FR
(*) – Denotes Honorable Mention All-American
School Records:
- Caeleb Dressel – 50 Free (18.67)
- Dan Wallace – 500 Free (4:10.48)
- Blyzinskyj, Munch, Dressel, Main – 200 MR (1:24.14)
Pool Record:
- Caeleb Dressel – 50 Free (18.67)
What Just Happened:
Click here for a recap of day two's prelims action.
Click here for a recap of day one's finals action.
Click here for a recap of day one's prelims action.
Follow the Gators:
For more information on the meet, check out the NCAA Championships central web page here. Also, Gator fans are encouraged to follow the swimming and diving program via Twitter or Facebook.
