Arndt, Pieroni Highlight IU’s Friday Morning Prelims at NCAA Championships

Friday, March 25

Atlanta, GA

10:00 AM

Indiana University

NCAA Championships- Prelims

Arndt, Pieroni Highlight IU’s Friday Morning Prelims at NCAA Championships

3/25/2016 3:12:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving

ATLANTA – The No. 8-ranked Indiana University men's swimming and diving team qualified four swimmers, one relay and one diver for the Friday night finals at the 2016 NCAA Championships during morning prelims at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta.

Both Blake Pieroni (200 freestyle) and Joshua Arndt (3-Meter Dive) qualified for Championship Finals, while Vini Lanza (100 butterfly), Tanner Kurz (100 breaststroke) and Ian Finnerty (100 breaststroke) all secured spots for IU in the Consolation Finals.

The Hoosiers also qualified to swim in the Consolation Final of the 200 medley relay on Friday night.

100 Butterfly
In the 100 butterfly prelims, Vini Lanza qualified 14^th overall to earn a spot in the evening's Consolation Final. Lanza touched the wall in a time of 46.01 – the third-fastest time in school history. Lanza now owns the top-three marks in the event at Indiana.

Max Irwin tied for 27^th place overall with a personal-best time of 46.79. Irwin's mark is the sixth-fastest time in school history.

200 Freestyle
Blake Pieroni qualified seventh overall in the 200 freestyle and will swim in the Championship Final on Friday night. The sophomore touched the wall in a time of 1:33.08 – the fourth-fastest time in Indiana history. Pieroni now owns the top-seven times in IU history and nine of the top-10.

Anze Tavcar placed 18^th overall with a time of 1:34.40.

100 Breaststroke
The Hoosiers will have a pair of swimmers in the Consolation Final of the 100 breaststroke on Friday night. Tanner Kurz qualified in a tie for 11^th overall with a time of 52.49, while Ian Finnerty came in 13^th in prelims with a mark of 52.60.

Cody Taylor finished in a tie for 40^th place overall with a time of 54.26.

200 Medley Relay
In the 200 medley relay, the Indiana team of Bob Glover, Tanner Kurz, Vini Lanza and Ali Khalafalla qualified 12^th overall to earn a spot in the Consolation Final with a time of 1:25.26.

3-Meter Dive
In the prelims of the 3-Meter Dive, junior Joshua Arndt was outstanding, posting a score of 401.45 to reach his first NCAA Championship Final, qualifying sixth overall.

Arndt was consistent throughout the six dives, but saved his best for last, scoring a 73.50 on his final effort to secure his spot in the Championship Final.

With Arndt qualifying for the Championship Final this year, the Hoosiers have now had at least one dive qualify for the A-Final in the 3-Meter Dive at the NCAA Championships the last five years.

The 2016 NCAA Championships continue on Friday evening at 6 p.m. ET for the Hoosiers with the prelims of the 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 200 medley relay and 3-meter dive.

Be sure to keep up with all the latest news on the Indiana men's swimming and diving teams on social media – Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

100 Butterfly
Vini Lanza – 46.01 (Consolation Final)
T-27. Max Irwin – 46.79 (Personal Best)

200 Freestyle
Blake Pieroni – 1:33.08 (Championship Final)
18. Anze Tavcar – 1:34.40

100 Breaststroke
Tanner Kurz – 52.49 (Consolation Final)
Ian Finnerty – 52.60 (Consolation Final)
T-40. Cody Taylor – 54.26

200 Medley Relay
Bob Glover, Tanner Kurz, Vini Lanza, Ali Khalafalla – 1:25.26 (Consolation Final)

3-Meter Dive
Joshua Arndt – 401.45 (Championship Final)