INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - McKendree University men's swimming swam to its highest finish in program history at the NCAA Division II National Championships, placing third overall with 352.5 points. The Bearcats bested their finished from last season of fourth place in the championships and appeared in the top four for the third consecutive year.
In Friday's finals, McKendree claimed a national title in the 400 freestyle relay which included sophomores Alireza Yavari and Arthur Souza, senior Caleb Law, and fifth-year senior Gregg Lichinsky. The Bearcats posted a school-record time of 2:52.69 in the victory. Last season, McKendree finished third for the relay event.
Lichinsky added to his national accolades with a second-place finish in the 100 freestyle, recording a time of 42.37 for a McKendree program record. Junior Filipe Pinheiro represented McKendree in the 200 breaststroke, tabbing his second fourth-place finish of the meet with a time of 1:56.09. Sophomore Paytrk Rozenek competed in the consolation finals of the 200 backstroke, finishing 10th overall.
In the five-day competition, the Bearcats collected five national championship titles including a win in the 200 butterfly and Division II record from sophomore Jackson Lustig, 100 butterfly win from Lichinsky, and relay wins in the 800 freestyle relay, 400 medley relay, and the 400 freestyle relay.
At the NCAA National Championship Meet, the top eight swimmers in each individual event earn First Team All-American honors, while places 9-16 receive Honorable Mention All-American accolades.
McKendree head coach Jimmy Tierney on the Bearcats' championship finish:
"Our men's squad were driven from day one to return to the podium for a top four trophy for the 3rd year in a row. The end result was the most successful season in program history. There was both quiet confidence and a bit of a swagger that fueled these highly competitive guys. 5 National titles (the most of any men's team) is quite an accomplishment. It was quite the team effort. Proud of every single one of these Bearcats."
Click here for a complete list of results from the championships.
