Virginia sophomore Leah Smith has broken the NCAA Record in prelims of the women’s 500 yard free with a new NCAA Record. She swam a 4:30.37 to break the 4:31.90 done by Cierra Runge at the 2015 Pac-12 Championships.
Smith charged out with a vengeance, and basically earned this record in the first 200 yards with a 1:45.73 at the 200.
The time puts Smith as the second-fastest swimmer in history at any level:
- Katie Ledecky – 4:26.58
- Leah Smith – 4:30.37
- Katie Hoff – 4:30.47
- Dagny Knutson – 4:31.18
- Cierra Runge – 4:31.90
Runge, the old NCAA Record holder swam in the next heat, but only qualified through 3rd in 4:35.28. She seemed to hold off of her legs a little more in prelims than Smith did, so both swimmers could challenge the record again in finals. They both tend to swim very similar races, which will make for a riveting battle.
Split comparison
- Smith (new record): 51.35/54.38/55.03/55.32/54.29 = 4:30.37
- Runge (old record): 51.63/54.41/55.29/55.65/54.92 = 4:31.90
This record-setter for Smith was a stark contrast to last year’s meet, where she entered as the top seed, but a poor morning result left her in the B-Final. She came out with the third-fastest time overall in 2014, though, when she won that B-final.
Before the prelims, I gave Runge the edge, even though SwimSwam picked Smith. Now I think it’s almost a toss-up but I’d have to go with Smith, who has the psychological edge given what she did to Runge in prelims. If Runge was surprised by her own 4:31.9 at Pac-12’s, then she must be totally spooked by Smith’s swim, and if she doesn’t focus 100% she could end up swimming Smith’s race and not her own.
Runge’s middle split must have been a 55.2, not 54.2.
Katie Hoff
Did Smith beat Hoff’s time or is it a typo above stating Smith’s time was faster? I’m confused. Anyway, good job Leah! It’s going to be tough to make #2 for the US in the 400 free!
Who was the second fastest performer of all-time, if Ledecky was #1 and Smith #3? Just curious.