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#ConferenceOfChampions "@NCAA: Cal wins third men's swimming and diving national title in past four years! pic.twitter.com/ctXKnnM6hC"
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) March 30, 2014
(Team) National Championship title #86 of California school history is now here, the Cal Men's Swimming (and Diving) team had a fantastic 3 day of swimming in Austin to win the 2014 NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championship.
The Golden Bears are able to beat the Texas Longhorns, who has not only the home pool advantage but also a huge edge thanks to their superior diving program.
Head Coach Dave Durden was named the CSCAA Coach of the Year, after the meet. Here is he (in the blue dress shirt on the right) jumping into the pool with the rest of the team to take a victory swim.
Into the pool goes the @calmenswim as they celebrate their national title. #GoBears pic.twitter.com/wQEuW6WJK2
— GoldenBlogs (@GoldenBlogs) March 30, 2014
Here is a better photo:
DAVE! RT @NCAA: This is how a swimming and diving coach celebrates a national title ... pic.twitter.com/rVg7fhrJYW
— GoldenBlogs (@GoldenBlogs) March 31, 2014
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AUSTIN IS BEAR TERRITORY!
@calmenswim fans feeling very "warm and fuzzy" right now #punny #d1swim #competitorswim pic.twitter.com/jTLLouJylS (@GrangerTalley)
— SwimmingWorld (@SwimmingWorld) March 30, 2014
It's official . . Austin is Bear Territory!!! National Champions!!! Way to go @calmenswim. pic.twitter.com/cBNVTGOXZx
— Teresa Gould (@TKGould) March 30, 2014
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Links to my NCAA men's swimming coverage this week
(and the official Cal videos for each day)
Preview (includes an explanation of the scoring)
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En route to the team national title, the Bears won 3 relays (200 free, 400 medley, 200 medley) and 2 individual titles (freshman Ryan Murphy won both 100 back and 200 back). What really won the title for the Bears are numerous Golden Bears that got into the A (Championship) and B (Consolation) finals. Across the board, the Bears posted their best times of the season this week. It was a total team effort.
Here is Ryan Murphy after winning the 100 Back (on Saturday)
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National Championships won by the Golden Bears in this meet
- 2014 NCAA 200 Free relay champions: Tyler Messerschmidt, Ryan Murphy, Tony Cox, and Seth Stubblefield
- 2014 NCAA 400 Medley relay champions: Ryan Murphy (back), Chuck Katis (breast), Marcin Tarczynski (fly), and Seth Stubblefield (free)
- 2014 NCAA 200 Medley relay champions: Ryan Murphy (back), Chuck Katis (breast), Tony Cox (fly), and Tyler Messerschmidt (free)
- 2014 NCAA 100 Back champion: Ryan Murphy
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By the number
5th Cal Men's Swimming and Diving NCAA Team Title (1979, 1980, 2011, 2012, 2014)
3rd NCAA Team Title won by head coach Dave Durden
154 NCAA Individual Titles for Cal in school history after 2 by Ryan Murphy
43 NCAA Relay Title for Cal in school history after 3 won the Bears this week
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Final Team Standings
1. California 468.5
2. Texas 417.5
3. Florida 387
4. Michigan 310
5. Georgia 259
6. Auburn 230
7. Arizona 198.5
8. USC 182
9. Stanfurd 155
10. Indiana 141
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The 2013-14 California Golden Bears Squad:
(the 16 swimmers that attended the NCAA meet and the individual events that they swam in)
Bagshaw, Jeremy (Senior)
500 FR SCY 4:16.15
1650 FR SCY 14:56.00
Cobleigh, Hunter (Freshman)
200 BR SCY 1:54.97
Cox, Anthony (Senior)
50 FR SCY 19.40
100 FL SCY 45.95
100 BK SCY 45.97
Fleming, Shayne (Senior)
50 FR SCY 19.40
Gimondi, Fabio (Junior)
100 FR SCY 42.95
Gutierrez, Longyuan (Freshman)
200 FR SCY 1:34.47
200 FL SCY 1:43.64
Hamilton, William (Junior)
200 IM SCY 1:43.36
200 FL SCY 1:43.13
Hinshaw, Adam (Junior)
400 IM SCY 3:44.00
1650 FR SCY 15:01.04
Katis, Charles (Junior)
100 BR SCY 52.69
Messerschmidt, Tyler (Sophomore)
50 FR SCY 19.35
100 FR SCY 42.44
Murphy, Ryan (Freshman)
100 BK SCY 45.59
200 BK SCY 1:39.21
Pebley, Jacob (Sophomore)
100 BK SCY 46.34
200 BK SCY 1:40.38
Prenot, Joshua (Sophomore)
200 IM SCY 1:43.31
400 IM SCY 3:42.20
200 BR SCY 1:54.37
Stubblefield, Seth (Junior)
50 FR SCY 19.32
100 FR SCY 42.63
Tarczynski, Marcin (Senior)
200 IM SCY 1:43.70
100 FL SCY 46.42
200 FL SCY 1:43.75
Williams, Trenton (Sophomore)
200 FR SCY 1:33.71
Senior Jeremy Bagshaw had the tide turning swim in the swimming "mile" (1650 yard is only ~90% of a mile, technically). He was part of the earlier heat but his time was good enough for 2nd in that event, netting 17 huge points for the Bears at the start of the Day 3 night session where the Golden Bears entered trailing host Texas by 6 points.
To follow that up, freshman Ryan Murphy won the 200 Back with sophomore Jacob Pebley finishing 4th. Following that, the Bears start to consistently out-swim Texas for the rest of Day 3. Chuck Katis and Josh Prenot finished 5th and 6th in 200 Breast, Seth Stubblefield finished 7th in 100 Free, Marcin Tarczynski finished 3rd in 200 Fly. Bears also pick up points in the consolation final thanks to Tyler Messerschmidt (100 free0 and Long Gutierrez (200 fly).
Before you know, what was expected to be a close race that will come down to the final relay became a Cal rout that even Texas' diving points can't help them. Bears clinched the team win prior to the last relay (400 free) where they finished 2nd.
With a nice mixture of young swimmers and veterans (the senior class have won 3 NCAA team titles in their 4 years on the team), the Bears will add a strong incoming class as they look to continue this swimming dynasty.
GO BEARS!