Watch Luca Urlando’s 1:54.3 200 Fly (Race Video)

2019 MEL ZAJAC JR. INTERNATIONAL MEET

Reported by Eamonn Keenan.

After having earned four personal bests thus far at the 2019 Mel Zajac Jr. International Meet, DART Swimming’s Luca Urlando has done it again: earning yet another lifetime best of 1:54.35. That time shatters the 17-year-old’s previous best time of 1:55.21, which was achieved at the 2018 Phillips 66 National Championships, by almost a full second.

Not only did he obliterate the meet record of 1:58.12, which was established by the University of Calgary’s Adam Sioui in 2008, but that time is also the third fastest time in the world this year, and the fastest American in the event since Michael Phelps at the Rio Olympics. His 1:55.76 from the 2019 Speedo Sectionals – College Station meet rendered him currently ranked sixth, which made him the fastest American in the world this year. As of right now, the second fastest American in the world is Caeleb Dressel, who out of nowhere posted a 1:56.29 at the 2019 Atlanta Classic.

With the times he’s been throwing down combined with a rapid rate of improvement, Urlando has established himself as a primary contender for a 2020 Olympic bid, particularly in the 200 fly. If he had swam that exact time, Urlando would have won this event at the 2016 US Olympic Trials, beating out both Michael Phelps‘s 1:54.84 for first, as well as Tom Shields‘s 1:55.81 for second.

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Science Geek
5 years ago

His trajectory is impressive

Bo Swims
5 years ago

Chris H-W … best announcer !

Leisurely1:29
5 years ago

Remember when he was originally on the Worlds roster then got taken off? Shoutout to USA Swimming for that.

Superfan
5 years ago

My guess is that whoever has best last 50 wins next summer! Luca, Milak and Chad all have some speed that they ‘can’ go out at a good pace and all can be at the 150 mark but who has another gear the last 50!

Bossanova
Reply to  Superfan
5 years ago

Dressel has another gear for that last 50….

ERVINFORTHEWIN
5 years ago

funny thing is : the junior world champs this summer are taking place in Budapest …..Milak’s country . How synchronistic is that ?

ERVINFORTHEWIN
5 years ago

Finally , that famous Magical 200 fly

Billy
5 years ago

Man, he sure made that look easy. What are his stats? Height etc. What a talent he is and he’s got one more year in high school. Sheesh!

Ragnar
5 years ago

NCAA champs in two years is about to be lit AF, Luca, Foster, super senior saiyan FARRIS, my oh my. What a time to be alive

SwimCoach
Reply to  Ragnar
5 years ago

Random question: Is your username from the Red Rising series?

Jalen Stimes
Reply to  Ragnar
5 years ago

Farris would have graduated when Foster and Urlando are college freshmen.

Admin
Reply to  Jalen Stimes
5 years ago

He would have – except for the redshirt he’s taking next season.

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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