Florida’s Kieran Smith to Swim 200 Free Instead of 400 IM at NCAAs

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Florida’s Kieran Smith turned heads last month at the 2020 SEC Championships in Auburn. Smith made waves from the start as he took down the SEC Record in the 200 free on the leadoff leg of the 800 free relay. Smith came into the meet as the meet as the reigning 200 IM champion, but switched things up this time. He swam the 500 free instead, crushing the NCAA and American Record in the process.

Smith will stick with the 500 free over the 200 IM at NCAAs. However, he’s made a chance to his 3rd day event. While Smith swam the 400 IM at SECs in a time that then led the nation, he won’t be entered in the event at NCAAs. He’ll instead swim as the top seed in the 200 free.

On day 4, Smith will stick with his SEC event: the 100 free. At last season’s NCAA meet, he had swum the 200 back on the final day, scoring in the B final. He was also a finalist in both IMs, placing 8th in the 200 IM and 7th in the 400 IM. Smith is the 10th seed coming into this season’s NCAA meet in the 100 free.

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Wondering
4 years ago

No he ain’t

Texas A&M Swim Fan
4 years ago

Could be he’s skipping 400 IM because Shaine Casas is now on the scene? Not a “guarantee” win in that event anymore. Just thinkin & sayin!!

Aquajosh
Reply to  Texas A&M Swim Fan
4 years ago

If you were ranked number one in the country by nearly a second in an event half the distance of a 400 IM and going to a meet where team points are paramount and you have potentially 15 swims to make in several days, which event would you be swimming? Just thinkin’ and sayin’!

wolfensf
Reply to  Texas A&M Swim Fan
4 years ago

400 IM is grueling and he will be key on any relay success.

Drewbrewsbeer
4 years ago

Smith/Kibler 2020

Will 37
Reply to  Drewbrewsbeer
4 years ago

I want to see Kibler pull a Townley strategy and Kieran try to run him down

Sun Yangs Hammer
4 years ago

A leisurely 1:29?

Will 37
Reply to  Sun Yangs Hammer
4 years ago

This is usually a joke. However Kieran’s technique actually make him swim “leisurely” lol. It’s like how people say Xu and Irie swim ez in the semis of Worlds.

leisurely1:28
Reply to  Sun Yangs Hammer
4 years ago

Methinks not!

About Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh is a former NCAA swimmer at the University of Arizona (2013-2015) and the University of Florida (2011-2013). While her college swimming career left a bit to be desired, her Snapchat chin selfies and hot takes on Twitter do not disappoint. She's also a high school graduate of The …

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