Race Video: Townley Haas wins 500 free, 4:17.45, 2013 Winter Jr Nationals

Video is courtesy of USA Swimming.

Boys’ 500 Yard Free – FINALS – 2013 US Winter Jr Nationals – as reported by Braden Keith / SwimSwam

NOVA of Virginia’s Townley Haas (Francis on the official results – he also has several other nicknames) was the only non-senior in the finals of the men’s 500 free, and not only did he win in 4:17.45, he won running away in 4:17.45. That swim broke Evan Pinion’s Meet Record of 4:18.88 from last year, as well as Michael Phelps’ National Age Group Record from 2002. (Read more about that record here).

Haas was out to a fast start, and while all swimmers inevitably tailed off after their first 200 yards or so, Haas stayed remarkably consistent. The North Texas Nadadores’ Jonathan Roberts was pretty good too, but by the completion of 300 yards, even he too was left to watch Haas swim to history.

Roberts will still undoubtedly be satisfied with his swim; the Texas commit was a 4:20.51 for silver, which is faster than he was at this meet last season, and much faster than the 4:23 he was in prelims. Georgia commit Jay Litherland took 3rd in 4:20.79, and Stanford commit Brock Turner was 4th in 4:21.52.

Chris Weiser from the Davis Aquadarts was 5th in 4:23.33, and Kevin Litherland also of Dynamo Swim Club was 6th in 4:23.33. Of the three Litherland triplets, all of whom went lifetime bests on Thursday in either prelims or finals (Mick was in the C-Final), Jay and Kevin came in about equal in this 500. Jay emerges with a slight edge, though Kevin was the better of the two in prelims.