Strong performances from Kiwi swimmers at NCAA Championships

Waikato swimmer Sam Perry just missed the podium on the final night of competition at the NCAA Division 1 Championships in Iowa City.

Perry, from the St Peters club, led-off his Stanford University team in the final of the men’s 4x100 yard freestyle relay.

After qualifying sixth fastest, Stanford finished fifth in the final in 2:49.39 with Perry the lead-off swimmer clocking 43.08s.

Meanwhile Canterbury’s Matt Hutchins finished 10^th fastest in the 1650 yard freestyle. Hutchins, from the University of Wisconsin, clocked an excellent 14:49.87s which was a full 11 seconds faster than his qualifying time.

All four Kiwi swimmers at the meet – Hutchins, Perry, Alex Hancock and Corey Main - will return to New Zealand for the National Championships on 14-17 April, which doubles as the official trial for world championship selection.