University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Saturday Finals
Carolina Wraps Up 2017 Campaign At NCAAs
March 25, 2017 | Swimming & Diving
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. - The University of North Carolina's 2016-17 swimming and diving seasons came to an end Saturday as the NCAA Division I Men's Swimming & Diving Championships concluded at the IUPUI Natatorium.
The Tar Heels had five individuals in action on the final day of the championships and two of them recorded career best swims.
Senior Jorden Merrilees finished 18th in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 1:41.02. His previous career best was 1:41.35 set earlier this month at the ACC Championships. He finished his career as the second fastest 200-yard backstroker in Tar Heel history behind only Nic Graesser.
"Jorden has provided such a spark to our team -- in practice, on the deck, at meets and as a competitor," sai UNC head coach Rich DeSelm. "His first few events here did not go the way he wanted, but today he stepped up to swim a lifetime best time and just missed making the finals. He's a talented swimmer and has given the team a lot to be thankful for."
Junior Craig Emslie swam a career best in the 200-yard breaststroke as he touched in 1:54.96 to finish 21st. Emslie's previous personal best was 1:55.43. He is the second fastest 200-yard breaststroker in Tar Heel history behind only fellow junior Michael McBryan. "Craig swam a great race today. His stroke was the best we have seen it and there is a lot of improvement left for Craig," said DeSelm. "The 200 breast is a relatively new event for him and we believe he is realizing that he can swim with the best in the country."
Senior Michael Meyer finished 35th in the 200-yard butterfly in 1:45.13, just off his personal best of 1:44.36 (4th in Tar Heel history), while junior Henry Campbell was 35th in the 1650-yard freestyle with a time of 15:16.56.
"Like Jorden, Michael (Meyer) gave our team so much this season. He is an experienced national and international level swimmer and has made a mark on our program," said Coach DeSelm. "Henry, after a stellar ACCs, was just off this meet. Still, he goes home as an All-America and is hungry to return to NCAAs next year."
Freshman Bryan Allen competed in his first-ever NCAA Championship event, competing in 10-meter platform diving where he placed 29th with a score of 286.05 points.
In the team standings, the Tar Heels placed 36th with six team points.
COMMENTS FROM ABEL SANCHEZ ON PERFORMANCE OF UNC DIVERS THIS WEEK:
"I am proud of the men this week. They showed grit and determination. Many of them were close to placing in the top 16 divers and just one or two dives put them out. This was a fantastic meet with some amazing divers. It was exciting to watch and it would have been more thrilling to be in the mix. Our freshman, Bryan Allen, stepped up among some of the greatest divers in the country. He was a little off but I'm so proud of the fact that he was aggressive and went after all his dives. Bryan has a bright future ahead and it'll be fun to watch him progress. Sean Burston, our redshirt sophomore, also had a great showing. He missed two dives which put him too far out of top 16. I think he now understands what to expect and I know he will be a force for UNC. He has all the God given talent anyone could ask for - now we need to get home and start working. What can I say about the greatest diver UNC has ever had? It was a pleasure and an honor to coach our senior Jack Nyquist. He has created history for our divers and broad shoulders for them to stand on. He has propelled UNC as a top college program in the country and with his momentum I know we can get to a place where we will be able to compete with all the major programs in the country. I want to thank him for all his success in the pool and in the classroom. I will never forget the legacy that he leaves behind. He has made me a better coach and I will never forget him."
Players Mentioned
