A Final Look at the Psych Sheets for the NCAA Men’s Championships; Josh Liendo Targeting Repeat Titles
On the heels of Virginia capturing a sixth consecutive team title at the NCAA Women’s Championships, the men’s edition of the competition will run from Wednesday through Saturday at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta. The University of Texas is favored to retain the title it won last March, with Hubert Kos and Rex Maurer headlining a roster rich in top-tier talent and depth.
The meet will mark the final college competition for Florida’s Josh Liendo, who will contest the 50-yard freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly. The 100 fly will feature a showdown with Arizona State’s Ilya Kharun, with both athletes capable of breaking the NCAA record of 42.80, set in 2018 by Caeleb Dressel. Meanwhile, Kharun will also contest the 200 butterfly and the 50 freestyle while powering the Sun Devils’ relays.
While Liendo will defend his NCAA crowns in the 100 free and 100 fly, other returning champions include Maurer in the 500 freestyle and 400 individual medley and Kos in the 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke. Kos is the NCAA record-holder in the 200 back. Georgia’s Luca Urlando was expected to defend his title in the 200 butterfly, but the veteran recently announced his withdrawal from the meet due to a minor injury.
Below is another look at the psych sheets for the four-day meet. Wednesday action will get underway with the 1650 freestyle, 200 medley relay and 800 freestyle relay.
