Applebaum, Lang Return to NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships

CLAREMONT, Calif. - Frank Applebaum and Lucas Lang earned qualifications to the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships, which will be held from March 15-18 in Greensboro, N.C.

Applebaum won the national title last year in the 200 fly and was an All-American in the 100 fly, while Lang finished second in the 1650 and won the consolation final in the 500, setting CMS records in both events. 

Applebaum earned the national championship in the 200 fly a year ago in an NCAA Division III record time of 1:44.01, and he will head back to nationals to try to repeat as champion. He is seeded 11th this year, but the fastest time in Division III has been a 1:45.31 (from Justin Finkel of Conn College), which puts Applebaum in a strong position to contend if he can match his form from a year ago. He is also seeded 10th in the 200 yard IM, and will swim in the 100 fly, after winning the SCIAC titles in both events. 

Lang will be once again among the top contenders in the 1650, entering the championships seeded sixth with a time of 15:30.01, which earned him his second straight SCIAC title. A year ago, he swam a 15:17.24 at nationals to finish second and set a school record, and that time would be the fastest in Division III so far this year if he can match it. Connor Vincent of NYU has the top time of 15:18.69. Lang is also seeded 18th in the 500 free and will try to make it into the finals this year after winning the consolation heat a year ago. 

Applebaum and Lang will hope to be joined by one or more of the CMS divers, who will be competing at regionals this weekend at Emory. Cyrus Gaylord qualified last year, while Jack Griffith, the one-meter champion at SCIACs, will be in the hunt for a qualification as well.