David Johnston Posts 14:22.77 1500 FR, Now #2 U.S All-Time (US@Australian Champs)

2022 AUSTRALIAN SHORT COURSE CHAMPIONSHIPS

After winning Duel in the Pool, a handful of American swimmers stuck around Sydney to compete in the Australian Short Course Meters Championships. Here’s what they got up to on the final day of competition.

Rising University of Texas junior David Johnston won the men’s 1500 freestyle, blasting 14:22.77 to win the event by over 25 seconds. The swim rockets him up the list of fastest American performers, putting him third behind only Connor Jaeger. Jaeger’s American record of 14:19.29 has stood since 2015.

Johnston has had quite a week in Australia. Duel in the Pool was his first time representing the U.S. internationally and this is his first short course meters meet but he wasted no time establishing himself. He set an American record of 7:30.41 in the 800 freestyle on the first day of competition. Then, he followed that up with a 4:02.84 400 IM to become the ninth-fastest American man all-time.

Grant House and Trenton Julian also entered their names on the list of top American performers, but in the men’s 100 IM. House grabbed the win, splitting 13.14 on the backstroke leg to take over the lead and never look back. He touched in 51.73, becoming the fifth-fastest U.S man all-time. It seems that this is House’s first official short course meters meet since 2009, and like Johnston, he’s impressed in this relatively new discipline for him. He’s also added his name to the top 10 all-time American male performers in the 100 fly and 200 IM.

Julian swam 52.76 in the men’s 100 IM, placing third behind House and Cody Simpson. While Julian has swum in short course meters meets before, the SCM 100 IM is a new event for him and the time is a new best for him after he clocked 53.40 in prelims. It also makes him the 15th fastest American all-time.

Leading from start to finish, Beata Nelson won the women’s 100 IM, making it an American sweep of the event. She also won the women’s 200 IM and 100 back earlier in the meet. She took the win in 58.14, and like the 200 IM, it was a comfortable win; she was the only one in the field to break a minute. Her lifetime best is 57.72, which she swam at an ISL meet in December 2021.

In the men’s 50 freestyle Justin Ress earned second in 21.29, about three-tenths slower than his 20.95 best. He’s been off his best times at this meet, but has still been posting solid results. He won the men’s 50 backstroke and took second in the men’s 100 freestyle. House also competed in the men’s 50 freestyle, winning the B-Final in 21.81.

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DLSwim
2 years ago

Stop the nonsense and make NCAA DI Champs SCM.

oxyswim
Reply to  DLSwim
2 years ago

At a minimum we need to go back to SCM in Olympic years.

MIKE IN DALLAS
2 years ago

Any chance of links to the video?

dpr
2 years ago

That a boy David!! North Texas is proud of your achievements down under. Look forward to your return home.

DragonSwim
2 years ago

Isn’t Jan Wolfgarten a German swimmer? So then Johnston should be ranked #2 American in the event?

Last edited 2 years ago by DragonSwim
Swimmer
Reply to  DragonSwim
2 years ago

Yep he definitely represented Germany internationally (but swam at UF)

Crannman
2 years ago

I’m actually impressed with Cody Simpson. His times seem to legitimately be getting to a solid place. Will he qualify for the SC team by being the first Australian in the 100m I.M?

Troyy
Reply to  Crannman
2 years ago

The 100 IM isn’t a selection event but maybe they’ll select him for the 4×100 free.

flicker
Reply to  Crannman
2 years ago

Clyde Lewis swam a time trial and was a tenth faster but Cody also swam a 47.07 in the 100 free B final so they might select him anyways for the relay

Bobthebuilderrocks
2 years ago

Is 14:22 a 14:17 in yards? Johnston and Hobson are lighting it up!

Austinpoolboy
Reply to  Bobthebuilderrocks
2 years ago

That’s what swimswam classic converter says…. Super fast anyway you slice it…

About Sophie Kaufman

Sophie Kaufman

Sophie grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, which means yes, she does root for the Bruins, but try not to hold that against her. At 9, she joined her local club team because her best friend convinced her it would be fun. Shoulder surgery ended her competitive swimming days long ago, …

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