David Johnston Moves To #4 All-Time With 8:41 1000 Free At Minnesota Invite Time Trial

2022 MINNESOTA INVITE

A number of swimmers competing at the Minnesota Invite hit the water on Wednesday during a time trial session that took place directly after the timed finals of the 200 medley and 800 free relays.

The standout performance of the night came from Texas junior David Johnston, who roared to a personal best time of 8:41.61 in the men’s 1000 freestyle to become the fourth-fastest performer in history.

Johnston had previously been 8:43.96, set this past February at a dual meet against SMU, which ranked him ninth all-time.

The 1000 free is not contested at the NCAA Division I Championships, though it is frequently raced at dual meets throughout the season.  For context, Johnston opened up his fastest-ever 1650 of 14:32.40 in 8:50.87 at the American Short Course Championships in March, a few weeks before NCAAs. At NCAAs, where he placed fifth in 14:33.61, his first 1000 was 8:51.67.

Early on in his freshman year, Johnston set the boys’ 17-18 National Age Group Record in the 1000 free in a time of 8:45.38, a mark that was broken by Texas teammate Luke Hobson (8:43.66) last season.

According to USA Swimming’s database, only two men have ever officially cracked 8:40 in the event, led by former Longhorn Clark Smith, who swam a time of 8:33.93 in December of 2015.

However, Bobby Finke, the all-time record holder in the 1650, has been 8:34.63, 8:37.13 and 8:38.05 in his three 14:12 swims in the mile, though they weren’t official splits.

All-Time Performers, Men’s 1000 Freestyle (SCY)

  1. Clark Smith, 8:33.93 – 2015
  2. Erik Vendt, 8:36.49 – 2008
  3. Connor Jaeger, 8:41.09 – 2014
  4. David Johnston, 8:41.61 – 2022
  5. Michael McBroom, 8:42.25 – 2014

Johnston was back in the water this morning in Minneapolis, qualifying first into the final of the 500 free in a time of 4:13.54. He was notably 4:14.88 to the feet over the first 500 of his 1000 free time trial, meaning he’ll likely have a few more seconds in the tank for tonight’s final.

The other notable performance from Wednesday’s time trial came from Texas senior Jake Foster, who blasted a time of 1:52.08 in the men’s 200 breaststroke.

The performance is the third-fastest of Foster’s career, only trailing the 1:51.40 he did in last season’s NCAA prelims and the 1:51.82 that ultimately earned him 12th in the final.

Foster now ranks fifth in the nation this season, sitting just over half a second shy of the NCAA ‘A’ cut of 1:51.54.

Both Foster and Johnston won’t compete on Saturday at the Minnesota Invite (nor will Carson Foster), as the trio will be representing the United States at the Short Course World Championships in Melbourne, Australia beginning Dec. 13.

Both the 200 breast and 1650 free, races Foster and Johnston would’ve likely been racing had they not been departing, will be on Saturday.

OTHER TIME TRIAL RESULTS (TOP TIMES)

  • Women’s 50 free – Stephanie Akakabota, Cal, 22.74
  • Women’s 100 free – Sydney Griscavage, Cal, 52.02
  • Women’s 200 free – Fanni Fabian, Cal, 1:47.80
  • Men’s 100 free – Alec Filipovic, Texas, 43.87
  • Men’s 200 back – Ty Coen, Arizona, 1:42.85
  • Men’s 100 breast – Luke Rodarte, Cal, 53.55
  • Men’s 100 fly –  Ethan Doehler, Texas, 47.60
  • Men’s 200 IM – Andrew Zettle, Texas, 1:48.79

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NornIron Swim
2 years ago

Why aren’t Finke’s splits “official”? There were electronic pads.
Before it became a more common event the men’s 800 lcm WR was set a few times on the way to 1500.

Demarrit Steenbergen
Reply to  NornIron Swim
2 years ago

I think the splits specifically have to be officially requested to count.

Admin
Reply to  Demarrit Steenbergen
2 years ago

Yeah. But it also depends on the referee. Also seems like the kind of rule that’s not really enforced super consistently.

Zane
Reply to  Braden Keith
2 years ago

Mile splits should count…

NornIron Swim
Reply to  Zane
2 years ago

Thanks for the answers.

Seems unnecessary to need to request for them to count. I doubt it would take much energy (coding) for someone to figure out a way to integrate them in all time results.

Admin
Reply to  NornIron Swim
2 years ago

Part of the issue is automatic timing systems. If you automatically have all splits count…you don’t have a backup timing system at the splits (like hand timers) to verify the results.

You’d have to be very, very clever as to how you worded your rules about timing errors in non-requested intermediate splits to stay out of court.

I think it ultimately comes down to this: you could develop a whole set of rules, some software updates (and we see how well that’s going), a system of appeals, a system of intermediate backup timing…

Or, for the 50 times a year across the country that anybody cares about having an official time on their intermediate split, have them request it and… Read more »

Grant Drukker
2 years ago

When did Jaeger swim his time?

TexasLonghornAlum
2 years ago

I’m still getting the Iowa vs. Minnesota results. Any ideas on how to update so I can get the Minnesota Invite results?

BearlyBreathing
Reply to  TexasLonghornAlum
2 years ago

What worked for me was either opening the page in a private/incognito tab or a different browser entirely. Hope it works for you too.

GoldyIsMyHero
Reply to  TexasLonghornAlum
2 years ago

I always need to clear my cookies/history to make it refresh.

TexasLonghornAlum
Reply to  GoldyIsMyHero
2 years ago

Thanks! That worked!

Admin
Reply to  TexasLonghornAlum
2 years ago

If you’re on a PC, hit Ctrl + Shift + R. If that doesn’t work, do it 10 more times.

TexasLonghornAlum
Reply to  Braden Keith
2 years ago

I’m on a Mac

TexasLonghornAlum
Reply to  TexasLonghornAlum
2 years ago

Never mind, the suggestion above from GoldyisMyHero worked for my Mac.

Admin
Reply to  TexasLonghornAlum
2 years ago

CMD + Shift + R

DragonSwim
2 years ago

Bobby also went under a fourth time at the 2022 NCAAs in his 14:22 mile. He was 8:39.63 at the 1000 split.

Dylan
Reply to  DragonSwim
2 years ago

And he was 8:34 going out at 2020 SECs, on his PB

homey looking skinny
2 years ago

I love the way this lad swims – just goes for it and looks like he is sprinting from the gun.

Austinpoolboy
2 years ago

So one shot at qualifying for 1650 is big 12’s?

Swimmer
Reply to  Austinpoolboy
2 years ago

Most likely but I feel like Johnston will get invited with his 500 or 400im from this meet so even if he has a horrible big 12 all he needs is the B cut

Austinpoolboy
Reply to  Swimmer
2 years ago

Ah yeah.

Admin
Reply to  Austinpoolboy
2 years ago

Could be. They could sneak it in to another meet.

Remember that since he will easily be invited in his other races, he only needs the “B” cut to swim the 1650. He has hit that “B” cut every time he has swum the race since February 2019.

Could also throw down a time trial tomorrow before leaving for Melbourne.

PK Doesn’t Like His Long Name
Reply to  Braden Keith
2 years ago

I would imagine that the bigger concern for him is not just making it for the 1650 but rather being in the big heat that swims at night.

Admin
Reply to  PK Doesn’t Like His Long Name
2 years ago

14:40.20 for that last year. He was 14:32 last year at American SC Championships.

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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