University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
NCAA Championships
Players Mentioned
Becker All-American in Historic 50 Free Race
3/22/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota men's swimming and diving team will ride the momentum from Bowen Becker's All-American finish in the 50 freestyle as they head into day three of the NCAA Championships at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center. The Gophers currently sit in 22nd place with 16 points.
"Bowen [Becker] took a very big step forward for himself and for our program with his swim tonight," said head coach Kelly Kremer. "It says a lot about someone to perform in the biggest moments and I am happy for Bowen that he could experience that tonight. I am happy for [Associate Head Coach] Gideon Louw too who works closely with Bowen on a daily basis, it is rewarding as a coach to see a young person excel with the lessons you teach."
Historic is the only way to summarize Friday night's 50-yard freestyle race. From 46th place in the 50 free at the NCAA Championships as a freshman, to 30th as a sophomore, to third as a junior, Bowen Becker showed his stuff as he competed with some of the best swimmers in the world.
"It feels good, it is exciting and is something that has been a goal for a while, and has been something I've been wanting to do for the past two years," said Becker. "It is nice to finally get the chance to do something like that."
Becker earned his first 50 free All-American finish touching the wall at 18.90 in the championship finals. This swim goes down as the best finish for a Gophers men's swimmer in five years and is a race that will go down in the history books for all of swimming.
"I get such a satisfaction with racing these guys. Swimming with all of these Olympians has been an opportunity of a lifetime."
Nick Yang comes into his first NCAA Championships qualifying for all three diving events. In his first event of the weekend, the 1-meter, Yang finished 20th with 322.40 points.
Both of Minnesota's relay teams finished 18th in the prelims this morning and were tabbed as second alternates in each event. Conner McHugh, Becker, Nicholas Saulnier and Matt Thomas swam to a time of 1:17.63 to finish 18th in the 200 freestyle relay, tying their finish from last year. In the 400 medley relay, McHugh, Becker, Tom Donker and Tuomas Pokkinen improved upon the teams finish from last year, placing 18th with a time of 3:07.03.
The Gophers will compete in the 100 breaststroke, 200 medley relay and 3-meter diving on Friday, March 23.. The day kicks off with prelims starting at 10 a.m. CT.