INDIANAPOLIS -- The Bates men's 400-yard medley relay team shattered the NCAA Division III record in the event on their way to securing the first national title in a relay in program history Wednesday on the first night of the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships, held at IU Natatorium. 

"One of the most spectacular moments imaginable," head coach Peter Casares said. "Four men, representing decades of swimmers, but most importantly coming together to swim in the moment for each other and Bates. I am so grateful to have been a witness to this moment." 

Junior Tim Johnson (Brewster, Mass.) led off with the backstroke, senior captain Marrich Somridhivej (South Windsor, Conn.) swam the breaststroke, sophomore Nate Oppenheim (Easton, Conn.) handled the butterfly, and senior captain Max Cory (Dublin, Calif.) anchored the race with the freestyle as Bates touched the wall in 3:08.43, easily surpassing the previous NCAA Division III record of 3:09.78. Runner-up University of Chicago finished the race in 3:09.94.

Somridhivej's remarkable split of 50.41 seconds in the final would have been the third-fastest 100-breast split at the NCAA Division I Championships last season. Wednesday's race was essentially over by the time Oppenheim jumped in the pool.

It's the 32nd national championship in Bates College history and the second for the swimming and diving program. Cory won the national title last year in the 100-yard freestyle, setting an NCAA Division III record in that event as well.

Cory competed individually in the 50-yard freestyle on Wednesday and broke the NESCAC record with his time of 19.47 seconds in the championship final, taking national runner-up in the 50 free for the second straight year.

The Bobcats are back in action on Thursday, with prelims set for 10 a.m. and finals for 6 p.m. Bates is competing Thursday in the men's 200-yard freestyle, 100-yard butterfly, and 200-yard freestyle relay.