March 30, 2008
The University of Louisville men's swim team scored its final points in the 400-free relay in the final day of competition at the 2008 Men's Division I NCAA Championships in Federal Way, Washington at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center. The Cardinals placed 26th in the 49 team field. Arizona won the meet, making it a sweep of the Wildcats' men and women's team national championships.
Scoring in its fifth relay team, the Cardinals finished in 2:55.72. Leadoff man, Andrei Radzionau went 44.05 to start off the race. Carlos Van Isschot touched the wall in 43.98. Next in the water was Chris Lindauer, who posted a time of 44.36. Adam Madarassy anchored and went 43.33.
"It was a very tight field. Just three tenths of a second separated us from 11th place," said Arthur Albiero, U of L head coach. "To score in all five relays was great. We kept fighting and we stayed together as a team until the very end."
The NCAA meet formally ends the University of Louisville swimming and diving season although Leslie Van Winkle and Anna Dishuck have each qualified for the Olympic Trials that will run in June in Omaha. Vali Preda has already qualified for the Olympics for Romania's medley relay team.
"This was a fantastic season and another quantum leap for our progress," said Albiero. "Now we build on this momentum and keep building on it."
