VIDEO DEBUT: ALEX ANDERSON EAGLE PROFILE
The most highly decorated athlete in University of Mary Washington history, senior Alex Anderson, capped his brilliant career in grand fashion on Friday night, breaking the NCAA Division III record in winning the 200 yard butterfly in day three of the Championships in Shenandoah, Texas.
With the win, Anderson gains his fourth national championship, and repeats as national champion in the event. His time of 1:44.93 eclipses the former record of 1:45.01, set in 2010 by John Dillon of Middlebury. His time was also nearly two full seconds than his previous season best.
From the start, Anderson and Jeff Depew of Redlands battled from the front, taking the early lead and trading first place. Anderson edged ahead in the final 50 yards, and edged Depew at the pad by .52 of a second.
"What Alex has accomplished this week put him in the conversation for best all around swimmer in Division III", said UMW head coach Abby Brethauer. "To swim under the existing national record in three events is quite frankly ridiculous and speaks to the work he has put in over the past four years. We are so fortunate to have had him as a member of our programs and I could nopt be more proud to be his coach."
Anderson won the national championship in the 400 IM in 2013, the 200 fly and the 400 IM last spring, and now adds another 200 fly title, along with the national record. He also collects his ninth All-America award, an individual record in school history. In all three of his events this week, he bettered the previous NCAA record.
Event 22 Men 200 Yard Butterfly
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NCAA Record: * 1:45.01 3/19/2010 John Dillon, Middlebury
Meet Qualify: 1:50.11
2014 Winner: 1:45.36 Alex Anderson, Mary Washington
Name Year School Prelims Finals Points
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=== Championship Final ===
1 Anderson, Alex SR Mary Washington 1:46.79 1:44.93* 20
23.84 50.90 (27.06)
1:18.05 (27.15) 1:44.93 (26.88)
2 Depew, Jeff SR Redlands 1:45.71 1:45.45 17
24.15 51.26 (27.11)
1:18.15 (26.89) 1:45.45 (27.30)
3 Lanz, Mike JR St. Thomas 1:47.79 1:45.76 16
23.57 50.82 (27.25)
1:18.41 (27.59) 1:45.76 (27.35)
4 Ricotta, Thad SR Williams 1:46.47 1:45.83 15
24.14 51.50 (27.36)
1:18.92 (27.42) 1:45.83 (26.91)
5 Schlueter, Luke JR MIT 1:48.67 1:47.63 14
24.37 51.79 (27.42)
1:19.78 (27.99) 1:47.63 (27.85)
6 Dalton, Reed JR Wash U. MO 1:48.59 1:48.07 13
24.48 52.70 (28.22)
1:20.13 (27.43) 1:48.07 (27.94)
7 Anderson, Jeff JR Amherst 1:48.19 1:48.52 12
24.74 52.58 (27.84)
1:20.05 (27.47) 1:48.52 (28.47)
8 Spurrell, Sam FY Amherst 1:48.84 1:51.46 11
24.47 52.17 (27.70)
1:20.90 (28.73) 1:51.46 (30.56)