2016 MEN’S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Wednesday, March 23 – Saturday, March 26
- McAuley Aquatic Center – Atlanta, GA
- Prelims 10AM/Finals 6PM (Eastern Time)
- Defending Champion: Texas (results)
- Championship Central
- Live stream: Wednesday/Thursday prelins & finals, Friday/Saturday prelims / Friday/Saturday finals on ESPN3
- Live results
Texas freshman Townley Haas threw down an emphatic 1:30.52 on the second leg of Texas’ 800 free relay as the Longhorns assuaged any concerns that they might misplay their taper for the 2016 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships.
That split, as far as we can tell, is the fastest in history: clearing the 1:30.60 done by Michigan swimmer Michael Wynalda at the 2014.
Haas’ reaction time on the swim was a .18, meaning that the flat-start all-time record of 1:31.20, done by Simon Burnett of Arizona, is in danger. When Wynalda did his split, he only swam 1:32.52 in the individual race later in the meet – which is a fast time by most standards except that of his earlier relay split.
- Wynalda’s splits: 21.19/44.17/1:07.27/1:30.60
- Haas’ splits: 20.41/43.36/1:06.89/1:30.52
Also in that relay, Conger swam a 1:31.89 on the leadoff leg, which goes down as the 8th-fastest 200 freestyle flat-start swim in history and puts him as the 7th-best performer of all time.
The two combined to lead Texas to a 6:08.03 win, which is the fastest 800 free relay of all-time. Even in an Olympic year, with doubts about tapers and focus, the three-fastest 800 free relays in history all came out of this race.
Watching Townley swim, it’s amazing that he fits that tiny pool.
I see usually reaction times at the elite level of 0.7 seconds, which means that Haas’ split is more like a 1’31” for a regular start.
Just think what he would have gone if he were rested 🙂
There would have been a number of faster split times over the past decade if the NCAA had moved the 800 FR to Wednesday back then. Would McKayla Maroney be impressed?
Haas has Ian Thorpe type range and talent. The sky is the limit.
That was a sweet opening tune from Eddie & the Cruisers. Can’t wait for the next 6 sessions.
Relay swims and individual swims are different but that’s very promising for the 200 free. On paper it means about 1.31.10 in individual.
It’s really time to break that antique record by Simon Burnett.
I don’t think it will happen this year but Mr Haas has the talent to do it in the next years.
Anyway I will be very pleased with any swim under 1.32 this week. It’s not so common.
And talking about sub 1.32 swims, congrats to Mr Conger for his 1.31.89 lead-off leg. His freestyle looks better than ever. I don’t know if he’ll swim freestyle at olympic trials but he could try either the 100 or the 200 for a relay spot.… Read more »
dude… quit lying. townley is more than capable of breaking that record this meet…
Awesome show! 800fr relay is a direct result of the work a team puts in a season.
20.98
43.91 22.93
1:07.43 23.52
1:30.95 23.52
Haas on friday
Which is a bigger game changer, sub-18 50 free or sub-1:31 200 free? serious question because both seem bonkers but now somehow possible too
Definitely the 50 free. Before this season, the fastest 50 free ever was 18.47, so it would take a 0.48 improvement to dip under, or about a 2.6% cut in time. An equivalent drop in the 200 free from the best time ever would be about 2.4 seconds under the record (!) and even if you just took the 0.48/50 yards improvement and multiplied it out for a 200, it’s without a doubt 1.9 seconds faster at a minimum to be comparable, meaning a 1:29.4 is the slowest time that would be in the same ballpark as a 17.99.
So, which is a bigger game changer? For sure, a sub-18 50 free. Without a doubt.
But what’s even scarier is… Read more »