2018 MEN’S NCAA SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Wednesday, March 21 – Saturday, March 24
- Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center – Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Defending champion: Texas (3x) (results)
- Psych Sheet
- Live results
- Championship Central
- Live stream: Wednesday/Thursday Finals, All Prelims on BTN2GO; Friday/Saturday Finals on WatchESPN
Friday morning at the 2018 Men’s NCAA Championships in Minneapolis, Minnesota brought prelims of the 200 free. NC State’s Justin Ress, member of the record-breaking champion 800 free relay, was slated to swim in heat 4 this morning. When swimmers lined up behind the blocks, however, Ress was absent. Since he opted out of this event, Ress will likely swim all 5 relays for the Wolfpack at this meet.
Ress was NC State’s highest seeded man in the individual 200 free. He entered the meet as the 6th seed. In the 800 free relay, Ress anchored the team to victory, running down Indiana with a blistering 1:30.77 split. He anchored in 40.82 to help the Wolfpack to a 2nd place finish in the 400 medley relay last night. Ress also helped NC State to 2nd in the 200 free relay with a quick 18.31 on the 2nd leg.
His remaining individual swim is the 100 free tomorrow. He’ll also probably swim both the 200 medley relay today and the 400 free relay tomorrow.
Teammate Jacob Molacek will also likely swim all 5 relays after scratching prelims of the 100 breast. He was seeded 31st in that race, so it shouldn’t impact their scoring projections.
Now hearing Ress was listed DFS in the 200. Is he injured?
Back injury
It’s amazing that I suddenly care about all of these details now that the team race is this close.
Hahaha how true
Molacek scratched 100 BR as well. He’ll do 5 relays as well.
Molacek isn’t a surprise. Ress is shocking.
Not sure I agree with this either. They already got the 400 meldey into the A-final without him. The worst they could have done at that point is 8th which would be a 12 point loss on that relay compared to what they did with him.
I have to believe he could make that up by finishing top 7 in the 200 free. His split was 4th fastest in the field. I also think NC State could have replaced his 40.8 with a 41.8 which only would have dropped them a few places and cost like 4 points.
They might have just decided the points would be close but he’d be better served for the events tomorrow by… Read more »