The Emory University men's swimming & diving team began its national title defense on Wednesday as the 2024 NCAA Division III National Championships got underway at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The first night of swims for the Eagles featured three All-America podium finishes, including one national championship-winning performance, and one consolation final appearance. At the end of night one, Emory stands in third place with 74 points and trails first place NYU by just seven points.
The Eagles were able to cut into the early NYU lead with a bang to end the night as the 200 Medley Relay crew of seniors Ryan Soh, Jake Meyer, junior Jeff Echols and sophomore Caden Bjornstad won the national championship, the first for the Eagles at this year's meet. The quartet completed the Emory three-peat in the event, recording a championship winning of 1:26.14.
The Thorsen brothers got things going on Wednesday with junior Crow Thorsen and freshman McKee Thorsen leading the Eagles in the 500 Freestyle. Crow earned his second straight All-America First Team honor, posting a sixth place finish at 4:26.34 after he was the second-fastest in the morning trials. For McKee, his effort marked the first All-America honor of his career, earning Second Team acclaim as he finished 12th at 4:29.91.
Senior Nicholas Goudie was next up in the championship final of the 50 Freestyle and secured his third straight top-three NCAA finish and second third place finish in a row, touching at 19.78 in the A final.
Fourteen swimmers represented the Eagles on Wednesday with three reaching the individual finals. Before he won gold in the 200 Medley Relay, Meyer was Emory's top finisher in the 200 IM as he was 17th at 1:49.63.
The NCAA Championships continue Thursday with trials getting underway at 10:00 AM followed by the finals at 6:00 PM. Day two's schedule will feature the 200 Freestyle Relay, 400 IM, 100 Butterfly, 200 Freestyle, 400 Medley Relay and the women's 1-meter diving.