Canada's Josh Liendo wins 3rd straight NCAA swimming title in 100 freestyle
CBC Sports | Posted: March 30, 2025 6:48 PM | Last Updated: March 30
22-year-old from Toronto claims 2nd victory in as many nights for Florida Gators
Canadian swimmer Josh Liendo won his third career NCAA title in the men's 100-yard freestyle on Saturday night in Federal Way, Wash.
The 22-year-old Florida Gator from Toronto clocked 39.99 seconds to out-touch Tennessee rival Jordan Crooks by 0.07, claiming his second individual victory at this year's NCAA championships. He became the third person in history to go under 40 seconds in the event.
Crooks set the NCAA record during Saturday's prelims, clocking 39.83 to break American star Caeleb Dressel's previous mark of 39.90 from 2018.
The six-foot-four Liendo retained his title in the 100-yard butterfly on Friday night. The two-time Olympian swam to silver in the 100-metre butterfly at last summer's Paris Games.
Montreal's Ilya Kharun, who took bronze behind Liendo in Paris, was unable to successfully defend his title in the men's 200 butterfly, touching third with a time of 1:38.74 in Saturday night's race.
The Arizona State swimmer finished behind Georgia's Luca Urlando, who set an NCAA record in 1:36.43, and California's Dare Rose (1:38.04).
The four-day meet was held at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.