March 22, 2012
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – Sophomore Frank Dyer set a Notre Dame record in the 500 free to begin the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships Thursday at King County Aquatic Center. Dyer, who was the 16th-seeded swimmer in the 500 free heading into the meet, had to wait until the sixth heat of the prelims to clock a 4:17.97 for a school record.
“The 500 free field here was tremendous, and for Frank to finish with a personal-best time after resting for the conference meet is a big deal,” associate head coach Matt Tallman said. “Frank should be very proud of himself and the experience he gained from being here last season certainly paid off.”
As a comparison, Dyer placed 44th overall in the 500 free (4:27.25) during his first NCAA Championships appearance as a freshman in 2011.
The performance was 19th overall, one spot away from being an alternate for the evening’s finals, and the best finish ever by a Notre Dame performer at the NCAAs.
Dyer bettered his school and BIG EAST Conference record to resume his reign as the fastest league swimmer ever to compete in the event at any meet.
Also in the morning preliminaries, junior Bill Bass swam in the seventh and final heat of the 200 individual medley. Bass concluded the race in 1:47.41 which ranked 36th among the field.
“Bill is more of a night swimmer and it’s tough to make it back for the final session at a meet like this,” Tallman said. “Hopefully, this meet will give him the confidence he needs to improve throughout the weekend and into next season.”
Dyer and Bass resume action at the NCAA Championships on Friday with live results available at UND.com.
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