Fourteen Gophers men’s swimmers have qualified for the NCAA Championships, held March 26-28 in Auburn, Ala.
The number represents the largest squad Minnesota has ever brought to the national meet, and could grow to 16 if freshman Dan Croaston and senior Matt Ninneman qualify in the diving competition this weekend.
With 14 athletes, the Gophers have the fourth-most competitors at the meet. Stanford leads the list with 16, while Auburn and Texas both qualified 15.
Michigan, which finished second to the Minnesota at this year’s Big Ten Championships, will send 10 swimmers to the NCAA meet.
Several Gophers will compete in three individual events, including seniors Jeremy Rients and Ty Bathurst and freshman Alex Massura.
Minnesota finished in a tie for 12th place with Nebraska at last year’s national meet.

— Michael Rand