Morales Finishes Third in 100 Butterfly, Earns All-American Honors
Gabriel Morales delivered a podium finish for the Carson-Newman Eagles Thursday night, placing third in the 100-yard butterfly at the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships at the Southern Indiana Aquatics Center in Evansville, Indiana.
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Gabriel Morales delivered a podium finish for the Carson-Newman Eagles Thursday night, placing third in the 100-yard butterfly at the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships at the Southern Indiana Aquatics Center in Evansville, Indiana.
"It was an unbelievable swim by Gabriel," said head coach Ben Young. "It was the highest male swim placing since 2021. Morales' swim came with an incredible back half where his second 50 was the fastest in the field by a long shot. For him to do that and set the standard for the night was just incredible."
Morales touched the wall in 46.26 during the championship final to secure All-American honors and 16 team points for Carson-Newman. The junior opened the race with a 21.75 split in the first 50 yards before closing strong with a 24.51 final 50.
The performance came after Morales posted a 46.64 in the morning preliminary heats to advance to the championship final among the top eight swimmers in the nation.
Morales' finish marks one of the top performances of the national championships for the Eagles and places him among the elite sprinters in NCAA Division II.
The Eagles continue competition Friday as the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships move forward in Evansville.
