As reported by SwimSwam’s Jared Anderson. Video edited by Coleman Hodges.
The title of “Fastest Man in the NCAA” will have to be amended this season to “Fastest Men in the NCAA.” The 50 free ended in a tie between Arizona’s Brad Tandy and Alabama freshman Kristian Gkolomeev, each of whom went 18.95. Tandy with his insane start led early, but Gkolomeev reeled him in over the course of the last 15 meters to take a share of the title. This is an event with significant upheaval from a year ago, as neither of these two were even in the NCAA last semester, let alone last season.
Florida’s Brad deBorde took third, going 18.98 to be the last man under 19 at finals. Minnesota senior Derek Toomey put together a late charge to take 4th from the outside lane, going 19.05.
The splash-and-dash usually sets up as tight a field as you can imagine, and this race was no exception. .04 back from Toomey was Cal’s Seth Stubblefield, and Texas sophomore John Murray was just .02 back of him in 19.11.
Florida State’s Paul Murray (19.14) and Matt Ellis (19.20) of Texas rounded out the A field.
NC State’s Simonas Bilis took home the consol championship, going 19.21 to just nip Auburn star Marcelo Chierighini by .01.