Northwestern tried to make a splash in Federal Way.
While the NCAA Division I Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships were mostly a three-team battle between Texas, California and Indiana, Northwestern was also represented at the meet, as seven Wildcats raced in Federal Way, Washington this past weekend.
Northwestern did not score any points in the competition, so it did not have an official place, but it came close. Sophomore Stuart Seymour placed 16th in the preliminary heats of the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 45.22, which typically would get him into the scoring B final. However, because he tied with California’s Bjorn Seeliger, the two had to compete in a swim-off for that final B final spot.
Backed by the support of a loud Cal fan contingent in the stands, Seeliger clocked a 44.17 during the swim-off, leading Seymour from start to finish. While Seymour went 45.11, faster than his prelims swim, there was nothing he could do to catch the Golden Bear.
Seymour also finished 47th in the 50 freestyle (19.50) and 24th in the 100 free (42.73), a few tenths off his season-bests in both events.
Racing alongside Seymour in the 100 back was sophomore David Gerchik, who finished 29th in the event (45.73) while taking 33rd in the 200 back (1:42.20). Then there was freshman Josh Staples, who was 29th in the 1650 free (14:59.42) and 47th in the 500 free (4:24.44).
Senior Tyler Lu, who grew up swimming at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center (where the competition was held), raced at his first NCAA championships meet to end his collegiate career. He swam the 200 individual medley, going 1:42.59 to place 25th.
In diving, freshman Kyle Ly placed 26th with a score of 306.80 in the 10-meter platform event. He was NU’s only diving representative at the meet.
Northwestern also fielded relays at NCAAs for the first time since 2008. The team of Gerchik, Lu, Seymour and sophomore Cade Duncan finished 21st in the 200 medley relay (1:24.78) and 24th in the 400 medley relay. In the 400 free relay, Seymour, Duncan, Schuster and Gerchik placed 24th (2:50.31).
The Wildcats did not set a season-best time at NCAAs, regressing in speed compared to its swims at the Big Ten championships a month ago. However, getting five individuals and three relays qualified for the end-of-season meet is still a big step forward for the program.
After NCAAs, Northwestern wraps up its collegiate season, looking toward summer meets and the upcoming 2025-26 season.