Will Licon is only in his sophomore year yet he’s already broken multiple records at the University of Texas, including one record tonight, establishing himself as one of the top swimmers on the Longhorn’s roster.
On day two of the 2015 Big 12 Championships Licon dropped a huge 1:41.67 in the 200 IM to break the previous Texas record of 1:41.92 set by Olympic gold medallist Ricky Berens back at the 2009 NCAA Championships. Not only was it a school record, but it doubled as the Big 12 record, which was also held by Berens with the same 1:41.92.
The time for Licon also ranks him first in the nation in the 200 IM, pushing Darian Townsend to second overall this season. Townsend was a 1:42.03 which was the fastest time this season up until Licon’s swim.
Licon had freshman swimmer Joseph Schooling to compete with during the race. As a butterfly specialist, there was no doubt that he would be fast the first 50, and he was, but Licon stuck with him. After that however, Licon pushed past him dropping very impressive breaststroke and freestyle splits of 29.42 and 25.02 respectively.
The record does come as Licon’s third school record after breaking the 400 IM record as a freshman at the 2014 NCAA Championships and taking down the mark in the 200 breaststroke at the Texas Invitational this past December.
With more than two years to go as a Longhorn, Licon is quickly putting his name on the board with some of the greats that have trained as Longhorns at the Joe Jaimal Texas Swimming Center
Eddie and Kristen are amazing at getting guys ready.They out work and out motivate every body.
I think he was just getting warmed for later…easy swim
He also split 51.5 100 breast in the relay. Brendan Hansens team record is 51.9. If he ever gets a chance to swim that even tapered…….well there goes another olympians record. Problem is that he swims the 2breast and both IMs at big meets
after the race Licon told me “brah, you wanna tiff treat. I got like 3 dozen for my girls”
Hopefully he swims the 2 at NCAAs. Prenot, Tynan Stewart, Kalisz, and now Licon would be a spectacular race.
Don’t forget Dylan Bosch.
plus Nolan, Fink, Bentz, Bosch… plus many others that are 1:42 low range… this is going to be the toughest final to make.
A couple guys named Ryan Murphy and Joseph Schooling, too.
They’re part of the many others.
Crazy to think that it will take a 1:41 to make the A final.
Congrats Will!
Wow. The Texas men are so deep this year. Is he shaved? How rested?
If others are to be believed, not shaven, semi rested
By “others” you mean anybody that knows anything about the Big 12s. It is an intrasquad meet for Texas so swimmers that are already in NCAA meet are never tapered or shaved. Only the few still trying to make the meet. Trust me, Licon still had the 1 same hair he always does on his chest.
“The time for Licon also ranks him first in the nation in the 200 IM, pushing Darian Townsend to second overall this season. Townsend was a 1:42.03 which was the fastest time this season up until Licon’s swim.”
Might want to double check if it’s actually Darian Townsend since he’s about 29-30 years old.
I don’t know if it is a mistake referencing him in this article, but I believe Darian is indeed 30 and did that time at a Grand Prix or the Ok pro am in December. So maybe not relevant to an NCAA article, but it likely was the fastest time this year in usa swimming until Licon.