FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – Biomechanical engineering major David Nolan broke the school, league, NCAA, U.S. Open and American records in the 200-yard individual medley Thursday during the Pac-12 Conference Championships.
The senior went 1:40.07 (21.96, 24.95, 29.05, 24.11) for the golden standard, sneaking under American record holder Ryan Lochte’s 1:40.08 achieved in 2007 at the Winter Nationals. Nolan’s performance bettered that of former NCAA record holder Bradley Ally (1:40.49) of Florida set in 2009.
Nolan, who won the event at the 2013 NCAA Championships, held Stanford’s record at 1:41.21. He matriculated at Stanford with the national high school record in the 200 IM (1:41.39).
The 200 IM title was Nolan's fourth at the league showdown, making him the lone swimmer in Pac-12 history to win the event four times.
“What an incredible effort today,” said Ted Knapp, Stanford’s Goldman Family Director of Men’s Swimming. “With David Nolan leading the way with his record-breaking swim in the 200 IM, and then three freshmen -- (Liam) Egan, (Curtis) Ogren and (Sam) Perry -- swimming their way onto the NCAA squad in three different events showed great versatility.
“Danny Thomson and Tom Kremer made the NCAA team with their swims this morning. And in diving, we accomplished most of what we wanted.”
With 288 points, the Cardinal jumped from third to first through seven events. Cal (248.5) is second and USC (242.5) stands in third. The scores include last week’s diving results. In fact, Ipsen was named Pac-12 Diver of the Year for the third time after sweeping all three events.
The meet resumes Friday with live results available at GoStanford.com.
Nolan was one of five Cardinal student-athletes who advanced to the finals of the 200 IM at Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.
Curtis Ogren (1:44.08) took fourth, Tom Kremer (1:44.48) was fifth, Gray Umbach (1:45.49) snatched seventh and Max Williamson (1:45.88) secured eighth.
Danny Thomson (4:14.98) and Liam Egan (4:16.65) took the middle two spots in the 500-yard freestyle, and were joined in the finals by seventh-place Drew Cosgarea (4:18.34).
Sam Perry, Stanford’s only performer in the 50-yard freestyle, went 19.49 for fourth.
Nolan had enough in the tank to help the Cardinal take third in the 200-yard freestyle relay with an NCAA A-cut 1:17.52 and third-place finish. Nolan teamed with Perry, Connor Black and Thomas Stephens.