MSU Denver Athletics

The success of the men's swimming program in the mid-to-late 1990s did not come by accident.  A tremendous group of swimmers helped establish a strong tradition, led by three-time national champion Darwin Strickland.

He swam for Metro State for three years (1993-96) and was the program's only national champion, winning the 100 freestyle in 1995 and 1996 and the 50 freestyle in 1995.

When the swimming and diving programs disbanded following the 2007-08 season, Strickland still held school records in the 50 and 100 freestyle, clocking in at 20.51 in the 50 and 44.92 in the 100.  He was a two-time Intermountain Swimming League Athlete of the Year, winning the award in 1994 and 1995.

Strickland finished his three-year career as a six-time All-American.  He also broke the Intermountain Swimming League record in the 50 freestyle twice and in the 100 freestyle three times.

He graduated from Metro State with two degrees, one in criminal justice and the second in philosophy.

Following his graduation from Metro State, he earned a degree from the Creighton University School of Law and spent four months as a White House intern in the Chief of Staff Office, before continuing his career as an attorney in the U.S. Army.

1993-94 ISL Athlete of the Year 1993-94 NCAA All-America (50 freestyle) 1993-94 NCAA All-America (100 freestyle) 1994-95 ISL Athlete of the Year 1994-95 NCAA All-America (50 freestyle) 1994-95 NCAA All-America (100 freestyle) 1994-95 NCAA national champion (50 freestyle) 1994-95 NCAA national champion (100 freestyle) 1995-96 NCAA All-America (50 freestyle) 1995-96 NCAA All-America (100 freestyle) 1995-96 NCAA national champion (100 freestyle)