Clayton Forde Wins Swim-Off At SECs For Spot In 500 Free ‘B’ Final

2017 SEC SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Both Clayton Forde from Georgia and Sam McHugh of Tennessee raced each other in a swim off for a chance to compete in the ‘B’ final of the 500 freestyle which resulted in a win for Forde.

This morning both swimmers were tied for 16th place after putting up times of  4:20.45 respectively. In their swim off, Forde managed to get his hand on the wall first to guarantee his spot in the ‘B’ final.

Forde clocked in at 4:22.10 at the touch to better McHugh’s time of 4:22.53. Both were neck-and-neck for the majority of the race, but Forde managed to edge out his competitor towards the end.

McHugh will be racing as the top seed in the ‘C’ final tonight where he’ll be joined by two of his teammates, Marc Hinawi and David Heron.

After one night of competition the Texas A&M men are leading the meet over Florida and LSU. On the women’s side Texas A&M is leadings as well followed by Georgia and Missouri.

Day two finals begin tonight at 6:00 p.m eastern.

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Another Swim Nerd
7 years ago

Dude’s best time going in was a 4:21 and he beat out a Tennessee legend for the spot. Even with three 500 swims, I’d imagine it was a good day.

Another Swim Nerd
Reply to  Another Swim Nerd
7 years ago

4:31, sorry.

Sane Swim Parent
7 years ago

There’s an event you don’t want to swim three times in a day.

SwimSwammer
7 years ago

This would have been really interesting to watch, wonder if there is video somewhere.

They were both out in 1:42/1:43 in the prelims, but in the swim-off at 1:46.1 and 1:46.3, splitting 26 highs and 27 lows through the 350. Both were well off there prelims pace until that point where it looks like they flipped a switch. They flipped at that wall nearly together with Forde in 3:06.88 and McHugh in 3:07.27 (compared to 3:03.63 and 3:02.00 respectively in the earlier swim)

Forde’s final 150: 25.72 – 25.03 – 24.47 (1:15.22)
McHugh’s final 150: 25.73 – 25.10 – 24.43 (1:15.26)

It’s like they had an agreement to cruise together and then drag race the last 150. Either… Read more »

JP input too short
Reply to  SwimSwammer
7 years ago

It’s like the 800-1600m in track. All you’ve got to do is beat the people around you.

You just don’t see it quite as often in swimming because you can’t actually see all the people around you!

JP input too short
7 years ago

Well that race isn’t going to be much fun for either of those two tonight!

NONA
Reply to  JP input too short
7 years ago

Yeah which is why it’s so much better to win the swimoff! Can’t slide down.

JP input too short
Reply to  NONA
7 years ago

Yup. I saw the tie in the results and I immediately felt sorry for them!

About Mitch Bowmile

Mitch Bowmile

Mitch worked for 5-years with SwimSwam news as a web producer focusing on both Canadian and international content. He coached for Toronto Swim Club for four seasons as a senior coach focusing on the development of young swimmers. Mitch is an NCCP level 2 certified coach in Canada and an ASCA Level …

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