Slideshow Freshman Lia Neal was a big reason Stanford finished second in the nation. Photo by Richard C. Erstad/isiphotos.com Previous Next

Stanford's 400 free relay team capped an outstanding NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championship for the Cardinal, winning the final event of the meet in Minnesota on Saturday to clinch a second-place finish.

Stanford coach Greg Meehan was named CSCAA Swimming Coach of the Year for Stanford's surprise finish behind national champion Georgia.

"It's pretty rewarding," said Meehan. "I think mostly for our seniors. For them to go out like this, with a second-place finish and winning four of five relays is just really special."

Stanford also received second-place showings from Lia Neal (100 free, 47.17), Maya DiRado (200 fly, 1:52.99) and Katie Olsen (200 breast, 2:05.88) on the final night of action. Neal and Olsen both smashed school records in the process.

Neal also played a huge part in the final 400 free relay, as she swam the final leg. She split a 47.14 in the ending 100 to turn a virtual tie into another Cardinal victory. Joining Neal on the relay were Maddy Schaefer, Felicia Lee and DiRado as the foursome clocked 3:10.83 for the No. 2 time in school history.