NCAA Men’s Swimming Championships : USC’s Wharton Sets U.S. Record in 200 IM

Sophomore David Wharton of USC set an American record of 1 minute 44.70 seconds Thursday in successfully defending his championship in the 200-yard individual medley at the men’s National Collegiate Athletic Assn. swimming and diving championships.

Wharton, the Olympic silver medalist in the 400-meter medley race last year, was second to Ron Karnaugh of California for most of the race before taking the lead with about 40 yards left.

Records were also set in two other events on the first day of the meet at the Indiana University Natatorium.

Freshman Artur Wojdat of Iowa set an NCAA and U.S. Open record in the 500-yard freestyle.

Wojdat, the Olympic bronze medalist in the 400-meter freestyle, trailed Arizona freshman Mariusz Podkoscielny, a teammate on the Polish Olympic team last year, for most of the race. He caught him on the final 100 yards to win in 4:12.24.

Texas, favored to successfully defend its championship at the three-day meet, won the opening event by setting an American record of 1 minute 18.44 seconds in the 200-yard freestyle relay.