BAKERSFIELD, Calif.-- Mitchell Huxhold (Sr., Escondido, Calif., San Pasqual HS) will conclude the swimming and diving season this week as the CSU Bakersfield standout returns to the NCAA Championships Mar. 26-28.

“Today was a bitter sweet day,” said Chris Hansen, Bakersfield's Director of Swimming, just a few days before the Championships kick off. “We did a TV interview with Greg Kerr and later in the day Greg's ESPN radio show. Greg reminded me on both occasions that Mitchell was a senior. Both times I got choked up. Mitchell has done a whole lot for this program and I am proud to be part of his swimming career. We always have a blast together and I see this week as nothing different. Our goal is to enjoy his last meet as a CSUB swimmer. That being said, he is ready to kick butt.”

Hansen has been at the helm of the CSUB program for all four of Huxhold's years with the 'Runners. He has watched the senior distance swimmer blossom and guided Huxhold to become the first Division I All-American for CSUB. Bakersfield's leader expects Huxhold to give a good run at repeating the performance in 2015: “He looks fast in the water. I'm glad the 500 free is his first event. That will set him for a great NCAA Championships!”

Huxhold will hit the water on each day of competition. He will begin the 2015 Championships with the 500 freestyle on Thursday, Mar. 26. Friday will feature the distance swimmer's weakest event of the three, the 200 free, but Huxhold is no slouch in the event as the senior is the CSUB record holder by over two seconds. The mile will be Huxhold's last event of the Championships and will take place on Saturday.

Prelims for each day will begin at 11 a.m. (CT) while finals will start at 7 p.m. ESPN3 will stream finals sessions Friday and Saturday live. Additionally, ESPNU will air a 90-minute show at 5 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday, April 8. Check back here at the end of each day of competition for a recap and results from the NCAA Championships.

~GoRunners.com~