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COLLEGE STATION, Texas Matt McLean, a sophomore on the Virginia men’s swimming team, placed third in the 500 freestyle Thursday to lead the Cavaliers on the first day of the 2009 NCAA Championships. UVa earned 47 points and currently stands in ninth place with two days remaining.
McLean, a native of Sterling, Va., clocked a time of 4:10.41, behind event winner Jason Basson of Arizona (4:08.92) and second-place finisher Michael Klueth of Texas (4:09.32). His third-place finish is the highest of any Cavalier since Pat Mellors was third in the 400 individual medley at the 2007 NCAA Championships.
McLean, the 2008 ACC Swimmer of the Year, earned his third career All-America honor. Last year as a freshman he earned All-America honors with a fourth-place finish in the 500 free and also earned honorable mention accolades in the 200 freestyle. He will also compete in the 200 freestyle and 1650 freestyle later this week.
The 500 freestyle proved to be a strong event for Virginia. In addition to McLean’s third-place finish, fellow sophomore John Snawerdt took 10th overall, touching in 4:14.26, while junior Darren Ankosko placed 15th in 4:18.52. It was the second honorable mention All-America honor of Snawerdt’s career and the first for Ankosko.
The 400 medley relay team of Eric Olesen, Ryan Hurley, Robertson and Robison also earned honorable mention All-America honors, marking the first such honor for a 400 medley relay since 2004. The Cavalier quartet finished 10th in a time of 3:08.90.
Virginia’s 200 freestyle relay team of Scot Robison, Lee Robertson, Peter Geissinger and John Azar earned honorable mention All-America honors with a 13th-place finish, clocking a time of 1:18.69.
Live coverage of the 2009 Men’s NCAA Championships can be found by clicking here.