Dean Farris Anchors Harvard’s 800 Free Relay in 1:30.22

Ivy League  – Men

  • Wednesday, February 27 – Saturday, March 2
  • Katherine Moran Aquatics Center, Brown University, Rhode Island (Eastern Time Zone)
  • Defending Champion: Harvard (2x)
  • Live results
  • Live Video: Thursday – Prelims | Finals; Friday – Prelims | Finals; Saturday – Prelims | Finals (Friday and Saturday links coming soon)
  • Championship Central

Pre-meet, one of the biggest questions was whether or not the Harvard men were going to push straight through Ivies in an effort to improve their performance from last year at NCAAs. After day 1, the answer so far seems to be ‘no.’

The Harvard men won the 800 free relay on Wednesday by almost 9 seconds over Yale, and by 10 seconds over Princeton, including a 1:30.22 anchor from junior Dean Farris. SwimSwam believes that to be the fastest non-leadoff split on an 800 free relay in history.

He combined with Brennan Novak (1:34.46), Mahlon Reihman (1:35.96), and Corbin Rawls (1:34.74) for a 6:15.38. Farris’ split was .47 seconds faster than he swam at this meet last year, and the team as a group were 1.4 seconds better – breaking their own Meet Record in the event.

The time was also an NCAA “A” cut in the event. Harvard already has an “A” cut in the 200 free relay, so this week they only need “B” cuts to qualify more relays for NCAAs. The time would have been 2nd at ACCs and 3rd at SECs.

That was Harvard’s 2nd win of the day. They also won the 200 medley relay in 1:24.33, another “A” cut, beating out Penn by 1.55 seconds. Based on pre-meet swimming points projections, Penn is going to be Harvard’s biggest challenger this week. The Princeton men were 5th and Yale was 6th, the next 2 teams based on seed.

Harvard’s 200 medley included Farris (20.83 – back), Daniel Chang (24.11 – breast), Umit Gures (20.61 – fly), and Raphael Marcoux (18.78). This once again broke their own Meet Record of 1:24.52, set last season with 2 seniors who are now graduated.

Team Standings After Day 1:

  1. Harvard – 128
  2. Penn – 108
  3. (TIE) – Yale/Brown/Princeton – 104
  4. Columbia – 100
  5. (TIE) Cornell/Dartmouth – 90

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Prof
5 years ago

Shut up nerd

Wild Bill
5 years ago

2.28.2019

Dean split a 18.45 on Harvard’s 200 Free Relay –

He is on point to do extremely well at the NCAA’s –

Go Dean Go!

Kate
5 years ago

Guys, I talked to Dean Farris’ mom two years ago at NCAAs. I don’t know who else to tell, no one would understand, but I need you guys to know because it was an absolute honor. #toodeantoofurious

Mart
5 years ago

Rumor has it that Joe Schooling went a 1:29.8 in the 200 fly in practice in only a speedo. Get with it Dean

Austin Eats
Reply to  Mart
5 years ago

Wait………you mean he ATE 200 hot dogs in 1:29.8 right? Because no way he did a 2 fly that fast.

BaldingEagle
5 years ago

I really feel for Dean’s competitors: it must be a real mind game to see Dean carried in on a golden litter before every race.

Mr. F
5 years ago

Here’s a pretty good quality race video for anyone interested:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcjVF5UAQ9I

rsgnsf
Reply to  Mr. F
5 years ago

LOL. Good one.

OhioSwimmer
5 years ago

I heard he swam a 250 instead of a 200, and used the last 50 to cool down.

BaldingEagle
Reply to  OhioSwimmer
5 years ago

The pool had to be closed down right after because the water had to be cooled down.

sven
5 years ago

This kid is extremely legit. How come I never hear about him on here? All you commenters are overlooking a pretty good swimmer.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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