Cetlinski and Biondi Shatter American Records in NCAA Swim Meet

Florida’s Mat Cetlinski and California’s Matt Biondi shattered American and meet records in the men’s 500-yard freestyle and 50-yard freestyle, respectively, Thursday during qualifying trials in the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships at the University of Texas Swim Center.

Cetlinski’s time of 4:14.85 bettered the American and NCAA record of 4:15.56 established by George DiCarlo of Arizona in 1984.

Cetlinski, a junior from Lake Worth, Fla., finished sixth in the U.S. Olympic trials in both the 400 freestyle and 1,500 freestyle.

He was the second-leading scorer in the Southeastern Conference championships three weeks ago.

Cetlinski won his first national championship last summer when he placed first at the U.S. Outdoor Championships in the 400 freestyle.

DiCarlo was second in qualifying at 4:15.48, and Olympic teammate Mike O’Brien of USC was third in 4:15.73.

Biondi, a sophomore, posted a time of 19.32 seconds to eclipse the American and NCAA record of 19.36 established by UCLA’s Robin Leamy in 1981.

Thomas Jager of UCLA tied the old record to finish second in qualifying with Scott McCadam of Iowa State third in 19.63.

Stanford’s 400-yard medley relay team also set an American record with a qualifying time of 3:11.93, breaking the old mark of 3:12.63 by Southern Methodist in 1983.

The swimming order for Stanford was Dave Bottom, Olympian John Moffet, Olympian Pablo Morales and Rick Bodor.

California qualified second at 3:13.64.

In the 200-yard individual medley, Morales qualified No. 1 in the slow time of 1:46.49, well off the American record of 1:45.00.

The early qualifying events represented some disappointments for the Florida team, which is seeking its third consecutive title.

Florida failed to qualify even for the consolation finals in the 400-yard medley relay.