Alexis Wenger Now #3 100 Breaststroker Ever After 57.2 ACC Record in Prelims

2022 ACC SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

As if the Virginia Cavaliers needed another weapon: senior Alexis Wenger broke the ACC Championship and Conference Record in the 100 breaststroke on Friday morning in prelims.

She swam a 57.22 to qualify first into finals. That broke her own personal best of 57.60 that was the previous Virginia record.

It also broke the ACC Championship and ACC Conference Records that were previously held by NC State’s Sophie Hansson. Hansson set the meet record last year in 57.45, and set the league record at last year’s NCAA Championships in 57.23, which made her the national champion in the event.

Hansson, a senior, is still on the varsity at NC State. She swam 57.60 in prelims to qualify 2nd for the final. That led a 2-3-4 prelims finish for the Wolfpack.

Splits Comparison:

Lilly King, Indiana Molly Hannis Breeja Larson Sophie Hansson Wenger’s New PB
Wenger’s Previous PB
2019 NCAAs 2017 Tennessee Invitational 2014 NCAAs 2021 NCAAs 2022 ACCs 2021 ACCs
1st 50 25.98 26.36 27.03 27.05 26.82 27.02
2nd 50 29.75 30.28 30.20 30.18 30.40 30.58
Total Time 55.73 56.64 57.23 57.23 57.22 57.60

Wenger is now the 3rd-fastest performer in the history of the 100 breaststroke, jumping Hansson and former Texas A&M star Breeja Larson. Wenger’s swim is the second-best at the collegiate level – as Molly Hannis clocked a 56.64 after finishing her eligibility at Tennessee.

Virginia now has the potential to put together a 400 medley relay that includes the:

  • #17 100 backstroke in history Reilly Tiltmann
  • #3 100 breaststroker in history Alexis Wenger
  • #7 100 freestyler or butterflier in history Kate Douglass
  • #18 100 freestyler in history Gretchen Walsh

With Walsh’s rank likely to rise at some point this season. She is the #3 qualifier in prelims of the 100 back to the final, swimming 51.53 even after slipping off the backstroke wedge on the start of the race. She is the fastest 50 backstroke in history already.

Both King and Hannis have been faster in prelims swims. Lilly King at the 2016 NCAA Championships, her first NCAA Championship meet, swam 57.15 before breaking the NCAA Record in finals at 56.85. Hannis’ personal best of 56.64 from the 2017 Tennesse Invitational (as a 25-year old post-grad) was done in prelims.

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Eib
2 years ago

Wenger 2 fly kicks on every pullout not sure what officials are looking at
Kasper past 15
Gretchen should be much faster in 100 back tonight. Slipped on start

Swimfan
2 years ago

Taking multiple dolphin kicks always helps

Mr. Pancake
Reply to  Swimfan
2 years ago

Muh dolphin kicks

thezwimmer
Reply to  Swimfan
2 years ago

I associate “multiple” dolphin kicks with the pullouts. The last time I watched Wenger swim, there was a fairly obvious downward dolphin motion after every breaststroke kick. I think we need to differentiate the terms. Perhaps we refer to this as dolphin breast (like what Cody Miller used to do).

Swimfan
Reply to  thezwimmer
2 years ago

She does both. It’s not even close.

snarky
Reply to  thezwimmer
2 years ago

Sophie will crush her tonight anyway!

ACC fan
Reply to  Swimfan
2 years ago

I’ve seen her from the deck definitely a downward dolphin kick

Breezeway
2 years ago

thats a below avg time for a butterfly 😂

Last edited 2 years ago by Breezeway
WahooSwimFan
2 years ago

Don’t forget Tiltmann has been 50.49 at last years NCAA meet (probably higher than #17 all-time), might be faster to have her swim back and Gretchen Walsh the free leg (which I think could be 46low or better).

wow
Reply to  WahooSwimFan
2 years ago

NO

snarky
Reply to  WahooSwimFan
2 years ago

Seems like she’s been focusing on the 200 this year.

Elle
2 years ago

And I don’t think she even has the W2 cut… amazing

Virtus
Reply to  Elle
2 years ago

Hannson goes a 105 💀 I’m shocked she’s not at least a 56

ACC fan
Reply to  Virtus
2 years ago

She doesn’t cheat

Mr. Pancake
Reply to  ACC fan
2 years ago

Should change your name to King Clown

Joe
2 years ago

As if their relay couldn’t get any better

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Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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