Former IU swimmer Zach Apple earns second relay gold in Tokyo, Pieroni and King medal again

Former Indiana swimmer Zach Apple secured his second gold medal of the Olympics on Sunday morning in Tokyo.

Apple and his American teammates upset favorite Great Britain in the men’s 4×100 meter medley relay final from lane one in world record time.

Swimming in the freestyle anchor position, Apple swam the fastest freestyle time in the event and extended the American lead. Apple started fast, flipping in 21.94 at the 50, and Great Britain’s Duncan Scott ultimately never got close, with Apple posting a 46.95 split.

The final time for the Americans was 3:26.78, well ahead of the world record of 3:27.28 set at the 2009 World Championships.

The United States has won the event since its Olympic inception in 1960, 15 times in a row.

Apple’s fellow former IU swimmer Blake Pieroni swam the event in the prelims and thus also claimed a gold medal.  The former IU All-American has won three Olympic medals in his career, all gold in relay events.

To watch the event on YouTube, GO HERE.

KING CLAIMS THIRD MEDAL IN TOKYO

The United States women took silver in the 4×100 medley relay final at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

Former IU swimmer Lilly King swam the event in the prelims and thus took home a silver medal, her third medal of the Tokyo Games and fifth overall Olympic medal.

In total, current and former IU athletes have claimed 11 medals (4 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze) in Tokyo.  As a University, IU athletes have produced 114 total medals – 59 gold, 22 silver, and 33 bronze.

The IU swimming and diving Olympic run will conclude with two days of diving for senior Andrew Capobianco. The 3M Synchro Springboard silver medalist will compete in preliminary heats of the individual 3M Springboard competition starting at 2 a.m. ET on Aug. 2. The finals of the event are scheduled to begin at 2 a.m. ET on Aug. 3.

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