For the second-straight year, the Florida men’s swimming and diving team placed fifth in the nation. But one Gator left on top.
The Gators finished the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in Columbus, Ohio, with 364 points, UF’s most ever in a national championship meet, and junior Conor Dwyer was crowned Division I National Swimmer of the Year.
Texas won the team championship with 500 points, followed by California (469.5), Arizona (387) and Stanford (369).
“We’re really proud of the way the guys finished the meet this weekend,” coach Gregg Troy said. “We raced tough the whole way through to the very last relay.
“We didn’t have as many bodies this year, but to come out and accumulate the most points ever for a Florida team in an NCAA meet is really an accomplishment.”
Dwyer picked up national honors after becoming the first men’s swimmer since 2001 to win both the 200- and 500-yard freestyle races in the same meet.
“Conor was very deserving of National Men’s Swimmer of the Year, but [Shaune Fraser] also had a fantastic meet, finishing second in two races and first in the other, while all were major contributors in each of our relays,” Troy said.
“Our seniors have contributed four great years here at Florida, and even though we were a little short tonight, our entire coaching staff is very happy with the way they performed the whole way through.”
Swimming for the last time as a Gator, Fraser ended his collegiate career as a 27-time All-American, passing Carlos Jayme (26) and Ryan Lochte (24) for most in school history.
Fraser’s attempt to defend his title in the 200-yard butterfly seemed to fall short, as Georgia’s Mark Dylla edged Fraser’s time of 1:41.45.
But a two-handed touch disqualified Dylla and resulted in Fraser reclaiming the title.
“You have to feel bad for Dylla,” Fraser said. “He won the race and he’s a great competitor, we swim (against) each other in the SEC each season. On the other hand, with the disqualification situation, the points went towards Florida and that boosted us.”
Eleven Gators swam a total of 38 All-America performances, breaking two Florida records in the process.
Dwyer, Shaune Fraser and junior Brett Fraser each had seven All-America honors.
