Crocker sets 100 free world record

EAST MEADOW, N.Y. – Auburn closed out its second straight NCAA men’s swimming and diving championship with a meet record in the 400-meter freestyle relay Saturday night.

The Tigers defended their team title with a record 634 points, two better than the 632 by Stanford in 1992. Stanford was runner-up with 377.5, followed by Texas (374), Arizona (322) and Michigan (271).

Senior Ian Crocker of Portland capped an impressive career at Texas by establishing a world record with a 46.25 clocking in the 100 freestyle.

The swimmers were competing in a 25-meter pool, as opposed to 50-meter lengths they would swim in Olympic competition.

Auburn coach David Marsh, who also led the women’s team to its third straight NCAA crown two weeks ago, was proud of his squad.

“We lost seven seniors from last year’s team, so we had a different identity when the season started,” he said. “However, the label – champion – never changed. We got points in a lot more events this season.”

George Bovell, Ryan Wochomurka, Derek Gibb and Fred Bousquet established a meet record of 3 minutes, 8.85 seconds to win the relay. Caesar Garcia also won in platform diving.

Texas had a big night. Longhorn sophomore Aaron Peirsol extended his undefeated collegiate streak to 11 in the 200 backstroke as he broke his own world record in 1:50.64.

A total seven world, eight American, 15 U.S. and eight NCAA records were established during the three-day meet.