Alabama’s Derek Maas Swims #3 50 Breaststroke Performer Ever

Anya Pelshaw
by Anya Pelshaw 17

February 15th, 2022 College, SEC

Alabama junior Derek Maas became the #3 fastest 50 breaststroke performer ever during the 200 medley relay tonight at the SEC Championships. Maas split a 22.63 to help the Tide finish second in a total time of 1:22.28. The relay finished behind the Florida men by only 0.22 seconds.

Maas is the #3 fastest performer now only behind Max McHugh who swam a 22.40 at the 2021 Men’s Big Ten Championships, and Carsten Vissering who split a 22.58 at the 2018 Men’s NCAA Championships. Prior to today, Maas was not within the top 25 splits ever. 

Maas had a reaction time of 0.04 which was the second fastest of any legal breaststroker. Only South Carolina’s Luke Massey had a faster reaction time of 0.02. Auburn’s Reid Mikuta had a reaction time of -0.10 split a 22.78 but due to his reaction time caused Auburn to be disqualified due to the negative reaction time. 

At last year’s championships, Maas split a 23.35 on the breaststroke leg as Alabama swam to a third place finish in a time of 1:23.28. Maas also swam the breaststroke leg for the Alabama relay at NCAAs. There he split a 23.79.

Maas holds the Alabama school record in the 100 breaststroke as he swam a time of 51.38 at midseason.

Based on the pre-scratch psych sheets, Maas is entered in four individual events. He is the top seed in the 100 breaststroke (1:52.46), #2 seed in the 100 breaststroke (51.38), #3 seed in the 200 IM (1:43.12), and #7 seed in the 200 IM (46.68). 

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Andy
2 years ago

Where does Luca Orlando’s 19.57 50 fly split rank?

Andy
Reply to  Andy
2 years ago

Looks like it might be #3 as well, behind 2 Schooling swims….

Editor
Reply to  Andy
2 years ago

Here’s what we had as of last March…
ALL TIME TOP 50 FLY RELAY SPLITS

  1. 19.36 – Joe Schooling – 2016
  2. 19.45 – Joe Schooling – 2017
  3. 19.52 – Blaise Vera – 2021
Andy
Reply to  Robert Gibbs
2 years ago

Ah, the Vera split wasn’t in the USA swimming database….

Editor
Reply to  Andy
2 years ago

Yeah, we’ve discovered that USA Swimming hasn’t been updating that lately. We’re doing our best to track them manually, but it’s tough to be 100% sure.

Big Mac #1
2 years ago

I saw this man at my state meet over the summer. He cruised to several easy wins.

Big Mac #1
Reply to  Big Mac #1
2 years ago

Also, think he is in the realm of 45-50 pts at ncaas

Super Max
2 years ago

hmmmmmm 3rd*

Admin
Reply to  Super Max
2 years ago

It’s become clear to me that USA Swimming has stopped updating their all-time splits lists.

We’ll check manually going forward. Thanks for the heads up.

Super Max
Reply to  Braden Keith
2 years ago

That’s a shame on their behalf. Appreciate all the coverage. I think we will allow some mistakes for this month!

Bobo Boi
Reply to  Braden Keith
2 years ago

McHugh was 22.58 at Minnesota Invite this season as well making this #4 split

SoCal Swammer
2 years ago

Incorrect. Max McHugh has the fastest 50 breast split ever with 22.40 from the 2021 B1G Championships. Therefore Maas has the third fastest split

Bobo Boi
2 years ago

Max McHugh?

PFA
2 years ago

You mean #3 you’re forgetting Max mchugh split 22.40 at the last B1G’s

SwimFan
2 years ago

Max McCugh went faster at B1Gs last year. 22.40

Lil Swimmy
2 years ago

ate

Matt
Reply to  Lil Swimmy
2 years ago

Can he beat Peaty over 50m?

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. She also attended 2023 US Summer Nationals as well as the 2024 European Championships …

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