2024 MEN’S NCAA SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- March 27-30, 2024
- IUPUI Natatorium, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Short Course Yards (25 yards)
- Meet Central
- Official Psych Sheets
- SwimSwam Preview Index
- SwimSwam Pick ‘Ems Contest
- How to Watch
- Live Results
- Day 1 Finals Live Recap
- Day 2 Prelims Live Recap | Day 2 Finals Live Recap
- Day 3 Prelims Live Recap | Day 3 Finals Live Recap
100 YARD BREASTSTROKE — FINAL
NCAA Record: 49.69 — Ian Finnerty, Indiana (2018)Meet Record: 49.69 — Ian Finnerty, Indiana (2018)American Record: 49.69 — Ian Finnerty, Indiana (2018)U.S. Open Record: 49.69 — Ian Finnerty, Indiana (2018)Pool Record: 50.52 — Liam Bell, California (2024)- 2023 Champion: 50.00 – Max McHugh, Minnesota
Top 8:
- Liam Bell (CAL) – 49.53 *NCAA, Meet, American, U.S. Open, & Pool Record*
- Brian Benzing (TOWS) – 50.59
- Denis Petrashov (LOU) – 50.91
- Noah Nichols (UVA) – 50.93
- Carles Coll Marti (VT) – 51.06
- Josh Matheny (IU) – 51.07
- Julian Smith (FLOR) – 51.18
- Ron Polonsky (STAN) – 51.25
Nobody would have thought Ian Finnerty‘s NCAA Record of 49.69 was in any danger of being broken this week at the NCAA Championships. Enter Cal fifth year Liam Bell, who just had the swim of his life. Bell blew away the ‘A’ final of the 100 breast, winning his first NCAA title by over a second.
Bell hit the wall in an absolutely stunning final time of 49.53, taking 0.16 seconds off Finnerty’s record from the 2018 NCAAs. It was a truly incredible race, as Bell nearly took a full second off his career best, which stood at 50.50 from the 2022 NCAA Championships.
Bell was out impossibly fast tonight, throwing down a 23.15 on the opening 50. That’s 0.11 seconds faster than Finnerty was out in when he swam his NCAA Record in 2018. Here is a split comparison between Bell tonight and Finnerty’s record swim.
| Splits | Liam Bell – 2024 NCAA Championships | Ian Finnerty – 2018 NCAA Championships |
| 50 | 23.15 | 23.26 |
| 100 | 26.38 | 26.43 |
| FINAL TIME | 49.53 | 49.69 |
Of course, Bell broke more than just the NCAA Record with his swim. In addition to the NCAA Record, Bell is now the American Record, US Open Record, IUPUI Natatorium pool record, and Cal program record holder.
Top 5 Performances All-Time, Men’s SCY 100 Breast:
- 49.53 – Liam Bell (2024 NCAAs)
- 49.69 – Ian Finnerty (2018 NCAAs)
- 49.85 – Ian Finnerty (2019 NCAAs)
- 49.90 – Max McHugh (2022 NCAAs)
- 49.95 – Max McHugh (2022 NCAAs)
Prior to his performance tonight, Bell’s personal best of 50.50 from 2022 was the 16th-fastest performance of all-time in the event, marking an massive jump in the all-time rankings. Bell will be competing in the 200 breast tomorrow, where he comes in as the 32nd seed.
A more thoughtful response could be that this is the first full year he’s been able to train injury free. Prior years he’s had injuries, and two surgeries. I’d call that determination, hard work, good coaching, and not luck.
Lucky swim for the guy!
Recent quote from Andrew “Durden can’t coach breaststroke”. Hat’s off to you, Andrew 👌
i genuinely wonder how he’s doing rn
He’s fine.
He’s used to taking L after L.
Matthew Jensen
entry: 51.89
prelims: 52.29 (+0.40)
Jacob Soderlund
entry: 51.88
prelims: 52.73 (+0.85)
Forrest Frazier
before Cal: 52.7
freshman: 52.4
sophomore: 53.99
junior: 52.59
senior: 52.9
My point still stands. Also Bell went slower in the relay than individual which is kind of sad
What’s sad is having to put others down to feel good about yourself. How is your swimming going? What are your times?
What about Reece Whitley
Benzing’s double dolphin kick though…
Benzing’s double dolphin kicks though…
Towson swimmer getting 2nd is nuts!!!
This is just Brian benzing propaganda