Men Swimmers Heading to NCAA Championships

[Water Pony]

I am delighted to see we have swimmers and relays heading to the NCAA Championships. Last night we had no relays. This indicates we are getting deeper and more competitive. Good luck, Mustangs

Wednesday, March 27-30, 2024 – All Day
Indianapolis, Ind.
IU Natatorium
TV: ESPN+ | SMU Notes | Live Stats

SETTING THE SCENE
- SMU is set to have seven individuals compete at the NCAA Championships in Indianapolis.

- Mustangs will take seven student-athletes to compete in Cotton Fields, Danny Kovac, Jack Hoagland, Chris Mykkanen, Colin Feehery and Lance Butler.

Butler will serve as a substitute for the 800 Free Relay team.

[Water Pony]

INDIANAPOLIS (SMU) – The 800 Free Relay team of Jack Hoagland, Chris Mykkanen, Jack Forrest and Colin Feehery finished 15th on day one of the NCAA Championship on Wednesday at the IU Natatorium.

The team finished with a time of 6:14.35 in the second timed final, setting a new program record. The 15th-place finish gave the squad All-America Honorable Mention honors for the event.

The Mustangs scored four points for the finish, the first time they have scored at the NCAA Championship relay since 2013.

SMU sits in 18th place after day one of the Indianapolis.

Future Atlantic Coast Conference foe Cal took first in the event with an NCAA-record time of 6:02.26.

Hoagland opened things up for SMU with of 1:32.47 going out, shattering his previous program record he had in the 200 free.

Mykkanen followed with a time of 1:33.92.

Forrest, in the third spot, posted a time of 1:33.52.

Feehery closed it out for SMU, going 1:34.44 for the final 200 yards.

[ponyswim]

Thursday, March 28th was the best day for SMU Men's swimming in over 25 years. Jack Hoagland was 6th in the 500 free, and Danny Kovacs was 9th in the 200 IM. SMU is tied for 16th after today.

[Water Pony]

Thursday, March 28th was the best day for SMU Men's swimming in over 25 years. Jack Hoagland was 6th in the 500 free, and Danny Kovacs was 9th in the 200 IM. SMU is tied for 16th after today.

I share your observation and enthusiasm. Our Men's Program has not enjoyed any significant results since the 90's. Not only were Jack and Danny's results excellent; their finishes were in the Finals and they delivered at the peak of their performance at the right moment. That is not easy.

Congratulations to them, the team, and Greg, who has trained and prepared them.

It has been a long road with more to do; but our future is brighter.

[Water Pony]

Jack Hoagland delivers another outstanding performance, 4th Place, at Nationals. He beat school record twice in one day in preliminaries and Finals. Amazing.

INDIANAPOLIS (SMU) – SMU Men's Swimmer Jack Hoagland continued his great run at the NCAA Championship on Friday. Hoagland again earned All-America honors, this time in the 400 IM.

Hoagland started the day strong, breaking his own school record in the 400 IM at 3:39.85 in the trial session to finish eight and advance to the championship final.

The graduate student then broke it again in the evening, posting a time of 3:37.53 to place fourth, becoming the first Mustang since Ian Clark in 2005 to receive All-America honors in the event.

NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP HONORS
800 Free Relay – All-America Honorable Mention - Jack Hoagland, Chris Mykkanen, Jack Forrest, Colin Feehery
500 Free – All-America – Jack Hoagland
200 IM – All-America Honorable Mention – Danny Kovac
400 IM – All-America – Jack Hoagland

[AusTxPony]

Congratulations, must be our highest finish in decades. I cannot find the list of standings beyond Top Ten, anyone find them?

[ponyswim]

SMU finished 18th. Jack Hoagland had an excellent meet. 4th, 6th, 6th in his 3 events. Danny Kovac was consolation finals in 2 events.
Best meet for the men in 25 years. Hopefully just the start of significant improvement.

[EastStang]

Great first step. Top 20 finish is nothing to sneeze at. Next year aim for top 10.

[Water Pony]

SMU finished 18th. Jack Hoagland had an excellent meet. 4th, 6th, 6th in his 3 events. Danny Kovac was consolation finals in 2 events.
Best meet for the men in 25 years. Hopefully just the start of significant improvement.

I am delighted that Jack and Danny delivered great results and exceeded expectations with their times, peaking at the right time. Add to that our 800 Free Relay and it was exciting to see the team standings with SMU Top 20. It was very cool after so many years. With our new Aquatic Center with its two Olympic Long Course pool and this year's result, we can expect to draw stronger recruits as well. Our future now looks very promising, especially with our move this year to the strongest Swimming Conference, the ACC.

Congratulations to Greg and Team.

BTW, the times for all swimmers in all events were impressive and showed great depth in every Final and Consolidation. Humbling.