[Michael Chadwick](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2015/7/8/q-missouri-swimmer-michael-chadwick/) turned to Fabian Schwingenschlogl on the evening of March 24.
“Tomorrow night you could be a national champion,” the junior North Carolina native said.
“I know,” Schwingenschlogl replied. “It’s pretty crazy.”
Less than 24 hours later, the German native’s hopes came to fruition. The junior touched [first in the 100-yard breaststroke](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2016/3/25/schwingenschlogl-wins-missouris-first-ever-ncaa-ti/) with a time of 51.29, two-tenths of a second ahead of Tennessee’s Peter Stevens. His win was the first NCAA title in Missouri Swimming and Diving history.
“It’s so big to have your first national champion as a team,” Chadwick said. “When you are recruiting, you want to show that you’re a team that produces one thing, and that’s national champions.”
Led by Schwingenschlogl and Chadwick, the Tigers finished eighth at NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. The team scored 184 points, and 11 athletes earned All-America honors.
“We thought we had a chance of being top 10,” coach Greg Rhodenbaugh said. “We knew it was going to be hard. And it was, and they did great. And we celebrated.”
The Tigers’ 400-yard medley relay placed fourth at the meet — the highest finish of any Southeastern Conference team. Chadwick, a team captain, was proud of the relay’s showing.
“When we finished that, we were just so ecstatic,” he said.
The team consisted of juniors Carter Griffin, Schwingenschlogl, Andrew Sansoucie and Chadwick.
The diving portion of the team was led by captain Clark Thomas. The senior finished fifth at NCAAs in the 3-meter competition. Freshman diver Kyle Goodwin also picked up points for the team, earning honorable mention All-America honors in platform diving.
One highlight of the team’s season was the [SEC Championships in Columbia](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2016/2/21/missouri-makes-splash-sec-swim-and-dive-championsh/). The Tiger men finished fifth at the meet, and every Missouri swimmer and diver scored points. Chadwick medaled in three events in front of the hometown crowd, and Schwingenschlogl placed in the top three in two races.
Missouri was helped by strong seasons from two Aruban National Team members: sophomore Jordy Groters and freshman Mikel Schreuders. Groters earned Honorable Mention All-America honors in the 100-yard breaststroke with a 13th place finish at NCAAs.
“Jordy took a big jump this year, but we could see that coming,” Rhodenbaugh said. “But it was great to see him do it.”
Schreuders, who has an Olympic qualifying time in the 200-meter freestyle, was a member of the Tigers’ 400- and 800-yard relay teams. The 17-year-old also qualified for the meet in the 200-yard freestyle.
Looking ahead, Missouri appears to be built for the future. The team is returning 10 of the 13 swimmers who qualified for NCAA Championships, and they are gaining the strongest recruiting class in school history.
After a historic 2016, Chadwick is excited for next season.
“I think we’re just starting to get going.”