Spartans Win 800 Free Relay National Championship on Day One of NCAA Championships

INDIANAPOLIS - The University of Tampa men's and women's swimming teams each made a strong impact on the opening day of the 2025 NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving Championships, highlighted by a record-breaking performance in the men's 800-yard freestyle relay. The women's 800 Free Relay also added an All-American showing.

Day 1️⃣ of the #D2WSD and #D2MSD Championships and we already have a new #NCAAD2 record in the Men's 800 Freestyle Relay.

The squad from @tampaspartans touched with a time of 6:17.93!#MakeItYours | #NCAAD2 pic.twitter.com/8xGbDygvgX

— NCAA Division II (@NCAADII) March 11, 2025

Top Performances (Men)

• Tampa's men's 800 Free relay team captured the NCAA Division II national record with a time of 6:17.93. The lineup of Caleb Brandon, Parker Knollman, Jacob Hamlin, and Rafael Ponce De Leon outpaced the competition and shattered the previous best of 6:18.46, which was set by Queens (NC) in 2017.

• Splits:
  • Caleb Brandon: 1:36.42
  • Parker Knollman: 1:34.44
  • Jacob Hamlin: 1:32.74 (NCAA Record)
  • Rafael Ponce De Leon: 1:34.33 (NCAA Record)

Top Performances (Women)

• The Spartans displayed a strong showing in the 800-yard freestyle relay, finishing sixth with a school record time of 7:19.43. The team of Sierra Gillan, Lindsey Louder, Laura Hodgson, and Roma Vrijhof earned All-American laurels.
• Splits:
  • Sierra Gillan: 1:50.08
  • Lindsey Louder: 1:49.59
  • Laura Hodgson: 1:49.73
  • Roma Vrijhof: 1:50.03

Standings

• Tampa's men are first following day one of five at the NCAA Championships.
• The Spartans are sixth overall in the women's standings.