Indiana University junior Brendan Burns, a Conestoga High School graduate and product of the Upper Main Line YMCA, recently captured the national title in the 200-yard butterfly at the NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships in Atlanta, writes David Woods for the Indianapolis Star. 

Burns won the race with a time of 1:38.71, the fifth-fastest time in U.S. history. He placed fourth in the morning prelims, but during the main event, he took the lead, covering the first 100 yards in 46.49, and never relinquished it.

Burns managed to beat Georgia’s Luca Urlando, who came in third at the last Olympic Trials in the 100 and 200 butterfly, and defending NCAA champion Nicolas Albiero of Louisville.

“I’m intrinsically motivated,” said Burns. “I really wanted that for myself. More importantly, I just wanted to represent my teammates well. They push me to be my best each and every day. I just love them to death.”

Burns’s victory in the 200-yard butterfly is Indiana’s first in the event since 1973.

Read more about Brendan Burns in the Indianapolis Star.