MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Senior Christian Clausen closed out his LSU career with an honorable mention All-America finish in the 200 breaststroke to highlight the Tigers’ performance on the final day of competition from the NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships at the Minnesota Aquatic Center.
Clausen, a native of Trelleborg, Sweden, placed fifth in the consolation final (13th overall) with a career-fast time of 1:57.89, improving on his preliminary clocking of 1:58.63. The time registered as the third-fastest mark in school history.
For Clausen, it was a tremendous way to close out a career that now includes three All-America honors in two seasons. In 2004, Clausen earned honorable mention All-America accolades in the 200 and 400 medley relays along with former Tigers Evan Martinec, Chris Stanczyk, Neil Lowe and current swimmer Ross Hebert.
Clausen becomes the sixth swimmer in school history to achieve All-America status in the 200 breaststroke and the first since Jarrod Marrs did so in 1998. The talented group includes the likes of Todd Torres (1987-91), Rick Meador (1977-80), Marrs (1997-98), Nate Thomson (1995, 1997) and Rod Lawson (1993).
He also joins a prestigious list of 20 LSU men’s swimmers who have earned All-America honors at least three or more times during their careers. Over half of the list lettered for four years, while Clausen did it in two.
Also competing on Saturday was freshman diver Niko Dalman. Dalman captured an honorable mention All-America finish in the 1-meter on Thursday. On the final day, Dalman placed 21st in the platform event with a score of 402.15.
The Auburn, Wash. native is only the fourth diver in school history to earn All-America honors as a freshman. He is also the highest scoring diver in the 1-meter at the NCAA Championships since Eric Petursson and Corey Fox finished in the top 16 in 2001.