GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Gators got out to a fast start at the 2021 NCAA Championships in Greensboro, N.C., as they finished fourth in the 800 free relay.
The quartet of Kieran Smith<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D13968&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=7sjcMuM539QuEADxU8_biMkBjFD3nfNu0FFnm5w7rWA&s=0nwRbH-kaox3IDsTEsxz_WTtk7H9l5h_k2RJEigOsUA&e= >, Trey Freeman<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D13948&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=7sjcMuM539QuEADxU8_biMkBjFD3nfNu0FFnm5w7rWA&s=bPaA4teHnWZfM30WNs_cRVT1HBADg4cE49IqvEbtgrA&e= >, Alfonso Mestre<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D13962&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=7sjcMuM539QuEADxU8_biMkBjFD3nfNu0FFnm5w7rWA&s=miLPcUReOb_1vXyoS7QbSWlTT6X-Eao-dm0Voi1Nldg&e= > and Robert Finke<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D13946&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=7sjcMuM539QuEADxU8_biMkBjFD3nfNu0FFnm5w7rWA&s=1ohZEqHgbC8rA3BL2N0-oLHm2YmIGhqVWWBhCxVisoo&e= > went a blistering 6:10.91 to place fourth in the opening race (800 free relay) if the 2021 NCAA Championships.
With that time the squad of Smith, Freeman, Mestre, and Finke move up to number seven on the UF all-time best list.
Smith got the Gators going with his opening 200 free split with a time of 1:29.66 just .18 second off of his best time.
Quotables – Head Coach Anthony Nesty<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_coaches.aspx-3Frc-3D1261&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=7sjcMuM539QuEADxU8_biMkBjFD3nfNu0FFnm5w7rWA&s=jlqOzbm5Cl0E-lNl_ASG2ZfxcSHQF8yJwPVWfO1gcQw&e= >
“We are off to a good start. Our goal is always to be faster once we reach NCAA’s. We need to prepare for tomorrow’s races staying focused and committed
to our goals. We will take it one day at a time. Our men raced tough tonight and I am very proud of them. Each athlete is prepared for their events and we remain
hopeful that our combined team effort will yield a promising finish to the season.”
Standings
1. Texas 40
2. California 34
3. Texas A&M 32
4. Florida 30
5. NC State 28
6. Georgia 26
7. Stanford 24
8. Louisville 22
9. Indiana 18
10. Virginia Tech 14
11. Michigan 12
12. Arizona 10
13. Virginia 8
14. Ohio St 6
15. Missouri 4
16. Notre Dame 2
Event Schedule
March 24 – 6 p.m. finals
* 800-yard Freestyle Relay
March 25 – 10 a.m. Trials
* 500-yard Freestyle
* 200-yard Individual Medley
* 50-yard Freestyle
* One-meter Diving
6 p.m. Finals
* 200-yard Freestyle Relay
* 500-yard Freestyle
* 200-yard Individual Medley
* 50-yard Freestyle
* 400-yard Medley Relay
* One-meter Diving
March 26- 10 a.m. Trials
* 400-yard Individual Medley
* 100-yard Butterfly
* 200-yard Freestyle
* 100-yard Breaststroke
* 100-yard Backstroke
* Three-meter Diving
6 p.m. Finals
* 400-yard Individual Medley
* 100-yard Butterfly
* 200-yard Freestyle
* 100-yard Breaststroke
* 100-yard Backstroke
* Three-meter Diving
* 200-yard Medley Relay
March 27- 10 a.m. Trials
* 200-yard Backstroke
* 100-yard Freestyle
* 200-yard Breaststroke
* 200-yard Butterfly
* Platform Diving
6 p.m. Finals
* 1,650-yard Freestyle
* 200-yard Backstroke
* 100-yard Freestyle
* 200-yard Breaststroke
* 200-yard Butterfly
* Platform Diving
* 400-yard Freestyle Relay
What’s Next
On the second day of the NCAA Championships the prelims will start at 10 a.m. with the 500 free followed by the 200 IM, the 50 free and the 1-meter diving competition.
