Texas wins third straight NCAA swimming title; Dogs finish 10th

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Posted 8:21AM on Sunday, March 31, 2002

ATHENS - Diving brothers Troy and Justin Dumais led Texas to its third straight NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving title Saturday night. Stanford had more points in the pool than Texas, but the Longhorns outscored the Cardinal 113-0 in diving for a 512-501 edge and the school's ninth overall title. It was the closest margin of victory since Florida edged Texas by 10.5 points in 1984. ``We are definitely the Texas diving and swimming team, not the swimming and diving team,'' said Texas sophomore Brendan Hansen, who set a meet, American and U.S. open records in winning the 200-yard breaststroke. Texas diving coach Matt Scoggin did not go that far. ``Getting four divers into the top 13 this morning was huge,'' he said. ``It gave our swimmers a big lift. Every point was critical.'' Auburn was third with 365.5 points, followed by Florida (277), Southern California (272), California (271), Arizona (242), Minnesota (216), Michigan (183) and Georgia (167). Southern Cal's Erik Vendt, national swimmer of the year, earned a meet-best 57 points, two more than Stanford's Markus Rogan. Troy Dumais, the diver of the year, and Stanford's Peter Marshall each scored 54 points. Stanford trailed by 15 points entering the evening session and overtook Texas in the 200 backstroke when Rogan and Marshall went 1-2. Texas failed to score in the event. ``As of now, it is not enough,'' said Rogan, who won the 200 individual medley Thursday. ``We've got to pick up some points in the breaststroke and the butterfly.'' Hansen's time of 1 minute, 52.88 seconds, beat his previous meet, American and U.S. open record of 1:53.11. Stanford's Michael Bruce finished second, minimizing the effect of Hansen's victory. Alabama freshman Ioan Gherghel won the 200 butterfly in 1:42.68. Stanford picked up eight points in the event, pushing its lead over Texas to 33 points as the platform finals started. Justin Dumais placed second, Troy Dumais fifth, Jonathan Linette eighth and Harold Hyde 13th, as Texas regained the lead 400 free relay. Troy Dumais finished his career with seven national titles in diving and 12 top six finishes. ``There is no question he is the greatest collegiate diver ever,'' said Scoggin. ``He the best of all time.'' To secure the title, Stanford needed a victory in the 400 relay, and needed Texas to finish sixth or worse. Cal won the relay in 2:50.01. Stanford was second and Texas third, anchored by a strong led from Ian Crocker. Anthony Ervin of California, 50 freestyle gold medalist at the Sydney Olympics, set a meet, American and U.S. open records with a 41.62 in the 100 freestyle. Crocker barely qualified for the consolation finals with the 16th-best time, but won the consolation race to earn nine points for Texas. Southern Cal's Eric Vendt won the 1,650 freestyle in 14:37.48 to go along with his 400 individual medley victory on Friday. Florida's Greg Troy was named coach of the year.