Campbell McKean Shatters 1:00-Barrier With 58.96 100 Breast for 17-18 NAG Record

2025 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Following a breakout performance in the 50 breaststroke that saw him qualify for his first World Championships team, 18-year-old Campbell McKean answered the call for a new US men’s breaststroker with a huge win in the 100 breaststroke.

McKean, who had never broken the 1:00-barrier before tonight, surged ahead of the field in the A-final, claiming the National title in a blistering 58.96 to jump over the 59-second mark entirely. That time not only marks a huge improvement for McKean, it also stands as a new 17-18 National Age Group Record in the event. Previously, the mark stood at 59.82, which was set by Michael Andrew back in 2016. Andrew is the current American Record holder in the event, signifying a bright future for McKean.

Top 5 US Men’s 17-18 100 Breaststroke Performers:

  1. Campbell McKean – 58.96 (2025 US National Championships)
  2. Michael Andrew – 59.82 (2016 US Olympic Trials)
  3. Nick Mahabir – 59.96 (2023 TYR Pro Championships)
  4. Josh Matheny – 1:00.06 (2020 US Olympic Trials – Wave II)
  5. Reece Whitley – 1:00.08 (2017 World Junior Championships)

McKean’s performance also moves him to #2 in the world this season behind Qin Haiyang, making him the 6th-fastest American of all-time.

2024-2025 LCM Men 100 Breast

Qin CHN
Haiyang
05/18
58.61
2Campbell
McKEAN
USA58.9606/06
3Sun
Jiajun
CHN58.9803/20
4Ludovico
VIBERTI
ITA59.0404/14
5Dong
Zhihao
CHN59.0605/18
View Top 26»

In terms of relay potential, McKean’s breakout is coming at the right time for US men as the team was struggling to find a breaststroker amidst the loss of relay mainstay Nic Fink. Josh Matheny was the fastest entrant in the US National Championships with a 59.23. With China, Great Britian, and several other countries on the rise, the team was in desparate need of a sub-59 second 100 breaststroke leg for their 4×100 medley relay.

McKean currently competes for Bend Swim Club in Bend, Oregon. He is slated to join Bob Bowman‘s group at the University of Texas this fall, having just graduated from high school this spring.

Fastest 18 & Unders (Globally)

McKean turns 19 this year and World Aquatics rules count swimmers’ ages based on how old they will be on December 31. That being said, McKean is the fastest ever 100 breaststroker who was 18 years old or younger by birthday.

  1. Campbell McKean, USA – 58.96 (2025 US National Championships)
  2. Nicolo Martinenghi, Italy – 59.01 (2017 World Junior Championships semis)
  3. Akihiro Yamaguchi, Japan – 59.56 (2012 Japan HS Niigata)
  4. Qin Haiyang, China – 59.57 (2017 China National Games)
  5. Wang Lizhuo, China – 59.60 (2016 Chinese Summer Nationals)

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Mr.Mister
1 day ago

I am here to see the geniuses say that USRPT was killing MA career.

Thomas The Tank Engine
1 day ago

MA should put all time end energy in 50s.

After all, there will be four 50 events in LA

Cam McEvoy trained exclusively in 50 free and it worked amazing for him.

Kamile Zinis FMC Aquatic
1 day ago

Yesss Campbell 😍😍😍 Slayyyy

Swimmaster
1 day ago

Coach Jim Nickell has done a PHENOMENAL job with him! Amazing swims this week! Congrats!

PFA
1 day ago

Wild how bro just skipped 59 all-together

Facts
1 day ago

Also a time that would win gold at the Paris Olympics!

Last edited 1 day ago by Facts
ChefJake
1 day ago

Congratulations on a fantastic week Campbell! It was so exciting to see you run the 50 W back tonight into a phenomenal 100.

Hats off to the Bend Swim Club organization and Coach Jim Nickell for developing this young man and ensuring his ascent over this past year!

mds
Reply to  ChefJake
1 day ago

Yah Mon…

AZswummer
Reply to  ChefJake
1 day ago

Both parents were accomplished swimmers as AZ Wildcats

lilac
1 day ago

i feel like hes a peaty type of swimmer and i think gaininng a lot more muscle will help him but we will see what bowman does with him

47.84
Reply to  lilac
1 day ago

Bowman’s gonna want him to be a 100/200 guy rather than 50/100 is my guess. Yoking up like peaty wouldn’t suit that.

Colorado Man
Reply to  lilac
1 day ago

Why are you speculating on what Bowman’s training will do for Campbell? What about the incredible job Jim Nickel did with him the past ten months since assuming the Bend Swim Club head coaching position!!
Great job, Jim!

Patrick
Reply to  Colorado Man
1 day ago

Agree. I’m tiring of hearing what Bowman will do. When you’ve just had tremendous breakthroughs with your club coaches that tells me maybe take a gap year and stick with them.

Ohio Swimmer
Reply to  Patrick
20 hours ago

(Shackell siblings flashback), he definitely enjoyed his time at Bend but you need to move on and not be a grown adult training with high schoolers

swimmer
Reply to  Ohio Swimmer
12 hours ago

stupid comment… do you know how many athletes have stayed with their high school club team? or any club team in general with highschool atheletes?

About Nicole Miller

Nicole Miller

Nicole has been with SwimSwam since April 2020, as both a reporter and social media contributor. Prior to joining the SwimSwam platform, Nicole also managed a successful Instagram platform, amassing over 20,000 followers. Currently, Nicole is pursuing her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. After competing for the swim …

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