AUBURN, Ala. -- Cape Girardeau-native John Younghouse, competing in his first-ever NCAA Championship swimming final as a sophomore for the University of Texas, showed few nerves in placing fourth in the 500-yard freestyle with a career-best time of 4:19.26.

Younghouse's time makes him the fourth-fastest performer in Texas history and places him 10th all-time on Texas' Top Times List.

Arizona's Ryk Neethling won the event in a pool-record time of 4:13.42. Texas, ranked third in the country, is currently in third place after the first day of competition with 129 points.

The NCAA Championships run through Saturday with Younghouse yet to compete in two other events -- the 400 individual medley and the 1,650 freestyle.