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NCAA Championships

Men's Swimming and Diving Braden Golisek - Assistant Director of Sports Information

Men's Swim earns Eight All-America honors at NCAA Championships

EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- The NMU men's swim and dive team concluded competition from day two of the NCAA Championships, earning eight All-America honors in the process. 

The evening started with Tobie Stiles and Travis Thornton earning second-team All-America honors on the 1-meter board. This is the seventh All-America award for the senior Stiles in his illustrious career, and the first All-America honor for the freshman Thornton in his first NCAA appearance. 

Fellow freshman Matteo Ballardin earned a second-team All-America honor in the 200 IM, where he finished 14th. Ballardin now has three All-America honors to go alongside GLIAC Swimmer and Freshman of the Year.

Veteran senior Leo Nolles added to his mantle this evening, adding his 13th All-American honor in his illustrious career with a second-team honor in the 50 free. Nolles has earned All-America status in all three of the times he has raced in the 50 free at the NCAA Championships.

The evening ended with the 200 medley relay team of Ballardin, Andrew Tease, William LaCount, and Nolles earning second-team All-America honors. This marks the first All-America honor for senior Tease, and the ninth distinction for senior swimmer LaCount.

The NCAA Championships continue with the morning preliminary session, starting at 11 a.m. ET. Fans can watch the free live stream at Ncaa.com, and follow along with live results using the Meet Mobile app. 

How It Happened
Stiles and Thornton competed in the B final of the 1-meter diving after qualifying in the morning session. Stiles placed fourth in the heat and 12th overall with a score of 429.30, and Thornton finished eighth in the heat and 16th overall with his score of 395.35. Both divers earned second-team All-America honors for their efforts.

Ballardin swam in lane seven of the consolation final in the 200 IM, and got a good start and push off the wall t be among the leaders right off the bat. The top three separated quickly into the breast split, and Ballardin was holding down the third position going into the freestyle. The freshman lost a little steam on the freestyle leg, posted a 1:46.09 to finish sixth in the heat at the final touch.

Nolles swam in lane six of the B final in the 50 free, and the sprint was on. Nolles posted a scorching time of 19.92, just 0.2 seconds behind the lead to finish seventh in the heat.

The 200 Medley relay team of Ballardin, Tease, LaCount, and Nolles closed the night, swimming in lane four of heat one. Ballardin didn't get the start he wanted as the leadoff in the backstroke, posting a 23.36 in his split before Tease took off in the breast. Tease touched the wall at 24.14, sending LaCount into the pool for the fly. LaCount posted a split at 20.83 to send Nolles as the anchor in the freestyle, where he posted a time of 19.32 to finish at 1:27.65. The 'Cats would finish fourth in the heat and 12th overall. 
 

Morning Prelims
The 'Cats had four athletes earn spots in the top-16 and a chance to compete in a 'B' final tonight. Matteo Ballardin finished 12th in the 200 IM, Leo Nolles missed an 'A' final appearance by 0.04 seconds, finishing 10th in the 50 free, and divers Tobie Stiles and Travis Thornton finished 11th and 16th to earn spots on the board this evening.

The finals begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, and can be live streamed for free at NCAA.com. Conversely, fans can follow along with live results using the Meet Mobile swim app. 

How It Happened
Ballardin swam in lane six of heat four of five total heats, where he was in third place throughout the whole race, heading into the freestyle final portion. The freshman, who had the fifth fastest qualifying time, touched the wall at 1:46.02, and was in seventh place as the final heat was underway. After the final heat competed, Ballardin would slide to 12th, and earn a spot in the B finals for tonight's championships. 

LaCount swam in lane three of heat three to open the 50 free, where he posted a 20.05 to finish 10th at the time. The fifth and final heat featured Nolles in lane four and Leroux in lane nine. Nolles posted a time of 19.71, missing the A final by 0.04 seconds, and Leroux swam a 19.97, finishing 23rd overall. 

Garin swam in the 1000 free, posting a 9:29.11, finishing his day in 23rd of 24 swimmers in the morning session. 

Both Stiles and Thornton competed in the 1-meter diving prelims, with both divers advancing to the B finals this evening. Stiles finished 11th with a total score of 440.45, while Thornton finished 16th to earn the last spot in his first ever NCAA appearance. 
 
Running Event Count

Wednesday, March 11
Finals
Event 9 - 1-meter diving: Stiles 12th, Thornton 18th, both earn 2nd team All-America honors
Event 6 - 200 IM: Ballardin 14th, 2nd team All-America honors
Event 8 - 50 free: Nolles 15th, 2nd team All-America honors
Event 11 - 200 Medley Relay: Ballardin, Tease, LaCount, Nolles 12th, 2nd team All-America honors

Prelims
Event 6 - 200 IM: Ballardin 12th (will compete in the B finals tonight)
Event 8 - 50 Free: Nolles 10th (will compete in the B finals tonight), Leroux 23rd, LaCount 25th
Event 4 - 1000 Free: Garin 23rd
Event 9 - 1-meter diving: Stiles 11th, Thornton 16th, both competing in the B finals tonight 

Tuesday, March 10
Finals
Event 2 - 800 Free Relay: Rosatelli, Khmara, Fulconi, Ballardin 11th place, 2nd team All-America honors



 
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Players Mentioned

William LaCount

William LaCount

Senior
Leo Nolles

Leo Nolles

Senior
Tobie Stiles

Tobie Stiles

Senior
Andrew Tease

Andrew Tease

Senior
Matteo Ballardin

Matteo Ballardin

Freshman
Travis Thornton

Travis Thornton

Freshman

Players Mentioned

William LaCount

William LaCount

Senior
Leo Nolles

Leo Nolles

Senior
Tobie Stiles

Tobie Stiles

Senior
Andrew Tease

Andrew Tease

Senior
Matteo Ballardin

Matteo Ballardin

Freshman
Travis Thornton

Travis Thornton

Freshman