Lierz Breaks 100 Back School Record, Crooks Makes Podium in 200 Free on Night Three of NCAAs

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – The Tennessee Vols concluded day three of the NCAA Championships in seventh place with a score of 162.5 points, setting up a battle for a top-5 finish on the final day of competition Saturday night.

In the individual events, Jordan Crooks spearheaded four finalist performances with a podium finish in the 200 free. For the second season in a row, the senior placed sixth overall in the event, touching the wall in 1:31.36.

After breaking the 100 back school record during prelims, Lierz came back and shattered it again during the consolation final. He clocked a 44.40 performance to win the race. His ninth-place finish marked the highest individual finish of his career. During the prelims, Lamar Taylor recorded a 45.51 effort to move up to fourth on the Tennessee leaderboard for the event.

Gui Caribe kicked off the night with an electric race in the 100 fly consolation final. The junior clocked the second-fastest time in school history at 44.31 to win the race and finish ninth overall. It marked the first time in his career earning All-America recognition in the event.

For the second straight night, Bennett Greene earned All-America second team honors, placing 13th overall on 3-meter behind a 385.45 effort. The freshman battled in prelims, clawing his way back from an early deficit to make the consolation final. The comeback was completed by a 73.50 Reverse 1 1/2 Somersault 3 1/2 Twist Free to move up several spots. During the finals, he nailed back-to-back 78-point attempts to cap the day.

Tennessee ended the night with a 10th-place finish in the 400 medley relay. The lineup of Lierz, Kevin Houseman, Caribe and Crooks posted the third-fastest time in school history at 3:01.40. Crooks' 100 free split was the best in the field at 39.95.

Team Standings
1. Texas 368
2. California 312.5
3. Indiana 304
4. Florida 233
5. Georgia 177.5
6. Arizona St 172
7. Tennessee 162.5
8. Stanford 162
9. NC State 128
10. Michigan 83

All-America Tracker (19)
Nikoli Blackman (200 FR)
Gui Caribe (200 MR, 50 Free, 200 FR, 100 Fly*, 400 MR*)
Jordan Crooks (200 MR, 50 Free, 200 FR, 200 Free, 400 MR*)
Bennett Greene (1-Meter*, 3-Meter*)
Kevin Houseman (200 MR, 400 MR*)
Harrison Lierz (100 Back*, 400 MR*)
Lamar Taylor (200 MR, 200 FR)

*Denotes Second Team

Podium Finishes (5)
1st – 50 Free – Jordan Crooks (17.91)
1st – 200 Free Relay – Jordan Crooks, Gui Caribe, Nikoli Blackman, Lamar Taylor (1:12.84)
2nd – 200 Medley Relay – Lamar Taylor, Kevin Houseman, Gui Caribe and Jordan Crooks (1:20.50)
3rd – 50 Free – Gui Caribe (18.23)
6th – 200 Free – Jordan Crooks (1:31.36)

Top-10 Times Tracker (7)
1st – 50 Free – Jordan Crooks (17.82)
1st – 100 Back – Harrison Lierz (44.40)
2nd – 50 Free – Gui Caribe (18.23)
2nd – 100 Fly – Gui Caribe (44.31)
3rd – 400 Medley Relay – Harrison Lierz, Kevin Houseman, Gui Caribe, Jordan Crooks (3:01.40)
4th – 100 Back – Lamar Taylor (45.51)
7th – 50 Free – Pedro Sansone (19.21)

University of Tennessee | Official Athletics Site

Lierz Breaks 100 Back School Record, Crooks Makes Podium in 200 Free on Night Three of NCAAs

Players Mentioned

Nikoli Blackman

Gui Caribe

Jordan Crooks

Bennett Greene

Kevin Houseman

Harrison Lierz

Pedro Sansone

Lamar Taylor

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