Indianapolis, Ind., March 21, 2014 – Washington University in St. Louis freshman Michael Lagieski set a meet and school record on his way to winning the national championship in the men’s 100 breaststroke to highlight five All-America finishes Friday on the third day of the 2014 NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships at the IU Natatorium.
In fourth place after the first 50 yards, Lagieski closed the final 50 yards .2 of a second faster than the runner-up finisher to set an NCAA Division III Championship meet record with a time of 54.10. Emory University’s Andrew Wilson, who finished second in a time of 54.26, also finished faster than the previous meet record of 54.27 set in 2009. The time was more than .3 of a second faster than Lagieski’s own previous school record time of 54.42. Lagieski is the fourth men’s swimmer in Washington University to win a national championship, joining Michael Slavik (2006, 50 freestyle), Eric Triebe (2006, 200 free) and Alex Beyer (2009 and 2010, 400 individual medley).
Lagieski’s individual title helped move the Washington U. men into 14th in the team standings heading into the final day of competition. The Bears have scored 80 points, which is their highest point total since 2010. Denison University remained in first in the men’s team standings with 374 points. On the women’s side, Washington U. enters Saturday’s action in seventh place with 115 points, the most points for the Bears since 2008. Emory sits in first place with 411.5 points after three days.
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