Cal’s Biondi Sets U.S. Swim Mark

Junior Matt Biondi of California, the world record-holder in the 100-meter freestyle, set American, U.S. Open and NCAA records with a time of 19.22 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle at the 63rd NCAA Division I men’s swimming and diving championships Thursday.

The 6-6 Biondi, named the U.S. Swimmer of the Year in 1985, outraced Tom Jager of UCLA, who held the American and NCAA marks of 19.24 last year and was going for a third consecutive NCAA title in the event. Jager was second in 19.35, and Tom Williams of Iowa was a distant third in 19.76.

The Stanford foursome of Sean Murphy, John Moffett, Pablo Morales and Dave Lundberg won the 400 medley relay in 3 minutes 12.47 seconds.

The victory gave Stanford, the defending champion, a slim lead after the opening day with 105 points. Florida was second with 101 and UCLA third with 98.

Morales won the 200-yard individual medley in 1:45.3.

Matt Cetlinski of Florida, who set an American record in the preliminaries of the 500 freestyle at last year’s NCAA meet and lost it in the final while placing third, recorded an easy victory in 4:15.9.

Sophomore Mike O’Brien of USC, who set an American record of 4:13.06 in winning the 500 freestyle last year, failed to qualify for the championship final.

Doug Shaffer of UCLA, the runner-up last year in the 1-meter diving, took top honors this time with 560.20 points. Patrick Jeffrey of Ohio State was a close second at 551.40, followed by teammate Mike Wantuck at 546.65.