WATCH 200 Medley Relay Featuring Fastest 50 back, 50 fly Splits Ever

2016 MEN’S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

The men’s 200 medley relay went to the Alabama Crimson Tide, but the race also featured monster swims from Cal and Texas. Cal’s Ryan Murphy posted the fastest 50 back in history on the lead off, blazing his way to a 20.20. Texas’ Joseph Schooling swam the fastest 50 fly split ever, rocking a 19.36 on that relay.

Even with those splits, the Golden Bears and the Longhorns couldn’t outdo Alabama, who had an incredible anchor leg of 18.00 from Kristian Gkolomeev. Also at an 18.00 on the free leg was Florida’s Caeleb Dressel.

MySwimPro posted a video of the race on their Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/myswimpro/videos/1734065106815690/

 

Murphy’s split topped Junya Koga’s previous fastest 50 back of 20.35. Schooling had previously been tied for the fastest 50 fly split with Chris Brady and Matt Targett at 19.66.

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LegalBreastrokePlease
8 years ago

Where is the video?

Also interested in seeing the broadcasted recording of the race. Lots of people mentioned seeing illegal breastroke pullouts on the brief underwater cam.

Please!!

swimdoc
8 years ago

Not to diss the fastest split ever, but why does Schooling breathe the first stroke after the breakout? There are 60+ year old Masters swimmers who do 50 flys breathing only at the turn, and they take 7 seconds longer to complete the 50. It kills momentum.

R&R
Reply to  swimdoc
8 years ago

(facepalm)

swimdoc
Reply to  R&R
8 years ago

You might face palm, but Eddie believes in not breathing in fly for speed. This isn’t Phelps in LCM at 100 or 200. In fact, Eddie always brings up the fact that Staab no-breath’d the last 25 of his then-record 100 fly. No one else in the finals took a breath on the first stroke out of the breakout. I doubt Eddie would recommend him Schooling doing it again. A tenth of a second would have come in handy. It’s probably a habit from longer distances.

sven
Reply to  swimdoc
8 years ago

Agreed. I’m all about maintaining a consistent flow of oxygen on the 100 and 200 (except for the last 25), but for a 50, there’s no reason for an elite swimmer to breathe except for sneaking in a quick one at the turn. My guess is it’s just a bad habit.

Big D
Reply to  swimdoc
8 years ago

Try running a 200m without breathing. The impact on performance is clear. Even in a dead sprint it’s not all anaerobic. Are we sure for the right swimmer with the best breathing technique that the impact on line isn’t worth the oxygen?

Technique is king. I think the ability to limit the impact of a breathing stroke is one of the greatest differentiators. See Phelps fly.

We just saw a swimmer PR in a 100 split with a damn fast time giving up a breaststroke pullout. There are kinds of give and takes possible. What’s the future to bring? All I know it was the fastest 50 fly split ever. Are we sure the breath wasn’t key instead of a… Read more »

JoeFan
8 years ago

Which swimsuit did Joseph Schooling use? I know its Mizuno but I am not sure about the model.

Steve-O Nolan
8 years ago

Lolz, come on, Rowdy. “Right now it’s so close between (Cal and Texas)!” literally as Alabama passes them.

Tom
8 years ago

I was really surprised not to see Conger on 200 medley relay…Especially after scratching 100 back. I do not think Jack will beat Schooling in 200 fly SCY, he may beat him in 200 LCM though…It seems like he is better suited for LCM then SCY with his slow walls when compared with Joe

Pvk
8 years ago

Don’t see the video:/

About Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh is a former NCAA swimmer at the University of Arizona (2013-2015) and the University of Florida (2011-2013). While her college swimming career left a bit to be desired, her Snapchat chin selfies and hot takes on Twitter do not disappoint. She's also a high school graduate of The …

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