After a great rebound swim this morning in which he lowered his own American, U.S. Open, and NCAA Records in the 100 breast, Kevin Cordes of Arizona took it one step further tonight, clocking a 50.04 to win by nearly a second and a half.  Nic Fink of Georgia continued his excellent last 12 months with a [distant] second place finish in 51.48.
Much like this morning, Cordes really attacked this race early, taking it out in 23.58, easily his fastest front-half ever (Damir Dujonic of Cal, at 23.45 in 2009 with a bodysuit, is the only swimmer to ever be faster in the event).
With that drop, Cordes has the four fastest swims in history, and is also tied for fifth with former NCAA record holder Damir Dugonjic of the Cal Bears (50.83):
- 50.04 (2014 NCAA’s)
- 50.55 (2014 NCAA’s)
- 50.70 (2013 Texas Invite)
- 50.74 (2013 NCAA’s)
- 50.83 (2013 Texas Invite)
In case anyone was wondering, his stroke count for the event was 4-6-6-7 for the four lengths.
Did he take more strokes than he had in past races? I counted 4-6-6-7… I feel like he was taking 5 strokes/lap mid-season and last year.
NCAA 100 breast final 2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxHkOoGVq00
Texas Invitational December 2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtYi2__Id-w
He is defenetly the future of Us breast ! well done Kevin , u will get there .
Ladies and Gentlemen, here’s the race video! 😎
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op8Ggqlaz6U
Haha! He almost made me wrong. 🙂
I said the sub 50 would not happen this year.
Wow! 50.04!
Almost that crazy barrier broken!
BIg congrats!
Mr Cordes continues to improve year after year.
Of course he stll has everything to prove in long course.
He’s a junior so his college career will finish next year. He will have a full season to train in long course and prepare well the olympic games.
I think he will be at his best for Rio and ready to win gold medals.
I really want to see this swim. I think my stroke count was somewhere in the 4 – 7 – 7 – 8 range, but I’m 6’7″ and was nowhere near 50.0. Guess I shouldn’t feel too bad since nobody else was close either. His 200 breast from last year was unbelievably beautiful to watch, if he breaks that record again this year, he deserves an award.
I was wondering what his count was as well! I told a friend of mine after prelims that I didn’t see him going much faster unless he managed to improve his stroke count while maintaining speed. Does anybody know what the stroke count was this morning for comparison?
“his stroke count for the event was 4-6-6-7”
Thank you Morgan. I actually do care about that since I wasn’t able to watch the video.
Kevin Cordes’ relay starts are not very elite. Not very elite at all.
Kevin Cordes’ breaststroke is incredibly elite. Unfreakingbelievably elite. Such elite so breast wow