#ncaas

ATLANTA – In a total team performance that saw the Golden Bears produce points throughout their lineup, Cal captured the NCAA Championship in men's swimming & diving this weekend, the seventh time in school history the team has stood atop the podium. Destin Lasco got the Bears going by winning the 200-yard backstroke Saturday, and Cal consistently put up high finishes throughout the final session of the four-day meet. Lasco's title was the third event win for the Bears, following victories by Hugo Gonzalez in the 400-yard individual medley and the 400-yard medley relay Friday night. Cal has finished among the top two teams at the NCAA Championships each of the past 12 years, and the crown was the fifth for head coach David Durden. The other titles came in 2011, '12, '14 and '19. The Bears also claimed championships in 1979 and 1980. Cal ended the meet with 487.5 points, ahead of runner-up Texas (436.5 points) and third-place Florida (374 points). Cal entered Saturday with a 7.5-point lead, and the Bears set the stage for their victory when 12 swimmers qualified for finals in Saturday morning prelims. Lasco, who was runner-up in the 200 back last year, grabbed the lead on the final lap and touched first in 1:37.71. Teammate Daniel Carr came up for third in 1:39.06, with Bryce Mefford seventh in 1:40.31 and brother Colby Mefford 12th in a lifetime-best 1:39.66 from the B final. Björn Seeliger next earned a runner-up finish in the 100 free in 41.00 after setting a school record during his morning heat with a time of 40.75 seconds. Four Bears swam in the 200 breaststroke, led by Reece Whitley's seventh-place finish (1:50.83). Liam Bell captured the B final (9th overall) in 1:51.36, Gonzalez took 10th (1:51.45) and Jason Louser 13th (1:52.08). Cal clinched the meet with the 200 butterfly, scoring 33 points to none for Texas. Trenton Julian was fourth in 1:39.00, Gabriel Jett sixth in 1:40.22 and Dare Rose 12th in 1:41.23. In the final event, Seeliger, Jack Alexy, Gonzalez and Lasco went 2:46.42 to place third in the 400 free relay.