From Emory University Athletics
Sophomore Oliver Smith captured the 50 Freestyle title to lead the Emory University men's swimming program on day one of the 2016 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships in Greensboro, N.C. The men currently sit in third place with 105 points trailing first place Denison University (131) and second place Kenyon College (117.5).
Smith won the event with a school record time of 19.55 after previously setting the school record in the preliminaries at 19.73. He becomes the 17th individual national champion in program history and the 20th overall.
The Milan, MI native was one of four individual swimmers to earn All-America honors on day one. Junior Christian Baker and freshman Thomas Gordon finished third (4:23.46) and fourth (4:26.92) respectively in the 500 Freestyle. In the preliminaries of the event, Baker posted the second fastest time at 4:22.88, breaking his previous school record of 4:23.45. In the 200 IM, sophomore Chandler Lichtefeld placed fifth with a time of 1:49.94.
Also earning All-America honors for the Eagles on day one was the 200 Medley Relay team of junior Mitchell Cooper, sophomore Cooper Tollen, Baker and Smith. The team finished third in the event, touching at 1:28.98.
In addition to Emory's five All-America honors, the Eagles saw Cooper and freshman Trey Kolleck garner All-America Honorable Mentions. Cooper finished 10th in the 200 IM with a mark of 1:50.09 and Kolleck placed 16th in the 50 Free with a time of 20.63.
The 2016 NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships continue tomorrow with the 200 Freestyle Relay, 400 IM, 100 Butterfly, 200 Freestyle, 400 Medley Relay and the women's 1-meter diving.
Fans can watch the action here: http://www.ncaa.com/liveschedule/2016/03/17 and can follow live updating results here: http://www.collegeswimming.com/results/53000/.