Mark your calendars for the 2025 Men’s NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, scheduled to take place from March 26-29, 2025, at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatics Center in Federal Way, Washington. This exciting event will feature competition in Short Course Yards (25 yards) format, drawing the best collegiate swimmers from across the nation.
The first night of the championships promises to be thrilling, showcasing the 200 medley relay and the 800 freestyle relay. While the session may be brief, the stakes are high, with the potential for NCAA records to be challenged. The 200 medley relay is particularly notable, with Tennessee leading the entries after clocking a time of 1:20.22 at the recent SEC Championships, just shy of the NCAA record of 1:20.15 set by Florida last year.
Tennessee enters as the top seed, with Florida close behind at the second seed, having achieved a season best of 1:20.66. Texas, aiming to reclaim their title, is the third seed with a time of 1:20.75. Notably, Florida holds the top position in the 800 free relay after winning the SEC title with a time of 6:02.50, just 0.24 seconds off the NCAA record of 6:02.26 set by Cal in 2024.
The championships commenced with a dramatic start, as Florida faced disqualification due to a false start during the 200 medley relay. Despite previously setting the NCAA record with a time of 1:20.05, the Gators' hopes were dashed as they were unable to secure a podium finish. In an unexpected turn, the Texas Longhorns emerged victorious, posting a time of 1:20.28, just 0.13 seconds off the NCAA record.
Texas's relay team was anchored by Chris Guiliano, who clocked a remarkable 17.80 split. Tennessee finished a close second with a time of 1:20.50, driven by Jordan Crooks's impressive 17.67 anchor leg. Cal followed in third place, clocking in at 1:20.76, showcasing a strong performance from their relay team. Arizona State made history with a record-setting split in the back half, while Indiana also achieved an American Record time of 1:20.92 despite finishing fifth.
The excitement continued into the 800 freestyle relay, where history was made as Cal shattered the NCAA record by finishing the event in under 6:00 for the first time ever. Their final time of 5:59.75 eclipsed the previous record by more than two seconds, a remarkable achievement that highlighted the depth of talent at this year's championships.
Texas also made headlines with an American record time of 6:00.08, showcasing their strength in the event. The competition saw Indiana excel as well, dropping their time significantly to finish at 6:06.76. Each team put forth a formidable effort, reflecting the intense rivalry and high stakes of this championship.
As the championships progressed, the team standings after the first night were as follows:
Texas – 40 points Tennessee – 34 points California – 32 points Arizona State – 30 points Indiana – 28 points NC State – 26 points Florida State – 24 points Georgia – 22 points Stanford – 18 points Louisville – 14 pointsStay tuned for more updates as the 2025 Men’s NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships continue, promising thrilling races and potential record-breaking performances!
