Prelims Results / Finals Results

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Senior Charles Platt had a record-breaking and All-American performance at the NCAA III Swimming and Diving Championships Thursday night at the IU Natatorium.

Platt (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North HS) took third in the championship finals of the 200 yard freestyle in a school-record time of 1:36.00. The time broke his own previous record of 1:36.27 set earlier this year. His third place finish is the best finish by a member of the Calvin men's swimming and diving team in the 200 freestyle at the NCAA III Championships. It also marks the fourth individual (non-relay) All-America swim of his Calvin career including his first top-eight finish.

Platt posted the third-fastest time of the morning prelims in 1:36.39 to qualify for Thursday's championship final. In the final, he moved from fifth to third in the final 75 yards, closing with a burst in the final 25 yard sprint. The race was won by Denison's Jack Hill in an NCAA III record time of 1:33.94. John Butler of Chicago was second in 1:35.01 with Platt finished well ahead of Kenyon's Teodor Jaworski who was fourth in 1:36.60.

The finish by Platt was worth 16 points in the team standings giving Calvin 34 points overall, good for 11th place in the team standings.

Freshman Jackson Merkel (Grandville, Mich./Grandville HS) also compete in the prelims of the 200 freestyle. He did not advance to the consolation or championship finals in the race but swam a career-best time of 1:39.11 that was good for 25^th place after he entered the race seeded 41^st.

Calvin also competed in the 200 freestyle relay as the quartet of junior Ryan Halberg (Novi, Mich./Northville HS), junior Carter Detweiler (Farmington Hills, Mich./Council Rock North HS), freshman David Gabrielle (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) and senior Jacob Ziegler (Toledo, Oh./St. John's Jesuit HS) took 23^rd in 1:24.06.

Calvin will now look forward to a big day on Friday as Platt and Merkel are top-eight seeds in the 100 backstroke. Calvin also is seeded high in the 800 freestyle relay and 200 medley relay. Senior Caleb Gemmen (Mentor, Oh./Home School) will also compete in the 100 breaststroke.

COACHES COMMENT: "Big swim from Charles tonight," said Calvin head swim coach Dan Gelderloos. "We are all really proud of him! A school record and a third place national finish is amazing. We are looking forward to some big opportunities tomorrow. It could be a moving day for our group."

NEXT UP: Friday's prelims are set for 10 a.m. with the championship finals set for 6 p.m.

CALVIN MEN'S 200 FREESTYLE ALL-AMERICANS

Julian Iturbe – 8^th – 2019
Julie Iturbe – 15^th – 2022
Charles Platt – 3^rd - 2026