McLean finishes 3rd at NCAA meet

In College Station, Texas, Virginia sophomore Matt McLean placed third in the 500 freestyle Thursday to lead the Cavaliers on the first day of the 2009 NCAA championships.

McLean clocked a time of 4:10.41, behind winner Jason Basson of Arizona (4:08.92) and second-place Michael Klueth of Texas.

McLean, the 2008 ACC swimmer of the year, earned his third career All-America honor. Last year, he earned All-America honors with a fourth-place finish in the 500 free and also earned honorable mention accolades in the 200 free. He will also compete in the 200 free and 1,650 free later this week.

Virginia in ninth place after the first day of the NCAA Championships with 47 points

Texas is first (171), followed by Auburn (141).

The 500 free proved to be a strong event for Virginia. In addition to McLean’s third-place finish, fellow sophomore John Snawerdt took 10th overall, touching in 4:14.26, while junior Darren Ankosko placed 15th in 4:18.52.

Virginia’s 200 freestyle relay team of Scot Robison, Lee Robertson, Peter Geissinger and John Azar earned honorable mention All-America honors with a 13th-place finish, clocking a time of 1:18.69.

The 400 medley relay team of Eric Olesen, Ryan Hurley, Robertson and Robison also earned honorable mention All-America honors, marking the first such honor for a 400 medley relay since 2004.