David Curtiss Ties For 11th Fastest U.S. Performer Of All Time With 21.76 50 FR

2022 TYR PRO SWIM SERIES – MISSION VIEJO

• June 1 to 4, 2022
• LCM (50m)
• Marguerite Aquatics Center, Mission Viejo, CA
• Meet Central
• Pre-Scratch Psych Sheets
• Livestream
• Live Results

Yesterday, at the 2022 TYR Pro Swim Series in Mission Viejo, California, NC State swimmer David Curtiss went a personal best time of 21.76 in the prelims of the men’s 50 free. Previously, his lifetime best was a 21.87 from January 2021. His swim yesterday now ties him as the 11th-fastest U.S. performer of all time in the event alongside Gary Hall.

Curtiss’s swim was an improvement from the 22.00 he swam at U.S. International Team trials this April, which resulted in him finishing fifth in the finals.

Top U.S. Performers, Men’s 50 Free:

1. Caeleb Dressel – 21.04 (2019)
2. Nathan Adrian – 21.37 (2015)
3. Cullen Jones – 21.40 (2009)/Anthony Ervin – 21.40 (2016)
5. Michael Andrew – 21.45 (2022)
6. Garrett Weber-Gale – 21.47 (2008)
7. Ryan Held – 21.62 (2021)
8. Ben Wildman-Tobriner – 21.64 (2008)
9. Bryan Lundquist – 21.73 (2009)/Nick Brunelli – 21.73 (2009)
11. Gary Hall – 21.76 (2000)/David Curtiss – 21.76 (2022)

Later in the finals, Curtiss neared his prelims time by going 21.80 to win the race. Previously in the meet, Curtiss scratched the final of the 100 free because he had met his goal time in prelims. SwimSwam later caught up with Curtiss about his performances at this Pro Swim Series and what his future plans are for the summer.

“I actually didn’t expect to go as fast as I did [in the 50 free],” Curtiss said. “I went into this meet with no expectations, and no worries about going fast. My goal was to fine tune some technique, play around with some swims, and meet some loose goals for myself.”

Curtiss’s goals for this meet were to get under 51 seconds in the 100 free and 22.5 seconds in the 50 free, both of which he met, as he also went 50.85 in the prelims of the 100 free.

“My feelings about both of my races were positive,” Curtiss said. “I felt I did well considering the lighter training I’ve had these past few weeks; only have two or three weeks under my belt and still being able to go fast is reassuring for when I increase training and go heavier.”

After swimming his first collegiate season at NC State, Curtiss is now training with his club team, the Hamilton Area YMCA, in New Jersey temporarily for the summer after he couldn’t find living accommodations at NC State. He’s currently doing a lighter training schedule, which includes singles daily and reduced lifting. However, he will increase his swimming and lifting load starting Wednesday of this week.

“The move to return home was all to decompress from an interesting first year and a rough NCAAs,” Curtiss said. At ACC Championships this year, he won the 50 free in a new lifetime best of 18.74. At NCAAs, he added time and ended up finishing 15th with a time of 19.22. However, he did set a personal best of 42.70 in the 100 free at the same meet to finish 39th overall.

When asked about his focus meet for the summer, Curtiss responded by saying that will not be going to U.S. Nationals in July as he has to attend a wedding.

“I made this summer a light one, in terms of meet schedule,” Curtiss said. “I will return to a higher and normal training schedule starting next week, but [I want to] still focus on enjoying the rest of my summer.”

Despite taking on a lighter load this summer, Curtiss still has long-term goals for both his 50 and 100 free.

“My 50 free is a forever evolving technical battle, so I will continue to fine tune, and strengthen myself to achieve the fastest race possible.” Curtiss said. “For my 100, I am playing around with different technique and racing strategy, but with my trainers back home and at NC state, it will become more of a priority when we return to a normal and heavier training regiment.”