At the 2016 PIAA ‘AAA’ Championships, Upper Dublin’s Michael Jensen kept things cool in prelims, putting forward a 1:37.98 for the 2nd seed going into finals.
He had other ideas this evening, though, shifting into a new gear and rocking a 1:33.90 to win the event and set a new PIAA record. More impressive, though, was how close he was to Tom Shields‘ national public HS record of 1:33.83 from 2009.
JENSEN’S SPLITS:
21.23 – 23.17 – 24.58 – 24.92
Out in an incredibly fast 44.40, Jensen held it together at the end for a new best time by over a whole second. His previous best was a 1:34.93 from Jr Nationals this past December.
Funnily enough, Jensen will follow Shields’ footsteps as he’ll be joining Cal’s swim program next fall. Shields won five individual NCAA titles during his collegiate career.
La Salle junior Jake Sannem finished 2nd to Jensen in the 200 with a very quick 1:35.44.
Jensen’s race is more impressive considering that he swam a 22.04 medley relay lead-off directly before this final. He’ll compete tomorrow, with the 100 free, 500 free, 100 back, 100 breast, and 400 free relay still left to be contested.
He went for it. If ya wanna swim fast, ya gotta swim fast!
go bears!
Jensen and Sannem have been doing their club swimming together for Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC), as did Thomas prior to joining Cal. Obviously that program knows how to turn out some impressive swimmers.
That kid is The Truth. It’s a pleasure to watch him race. Joining fellow PA state champion Michael Thomas at Cal next year is going to be exciting! Go PASWIM!
That was actually under Simon Burnett’s US Open record pace!
Quality person also. He handed out medals to the swimmers at Middle Atlantic Junior Olympics last weekend.
Wow – out in 44.4 to the foot. That’s faster than anyone went out in the A final of NCAAs last year.