James Fike Brings Men’s 40-44 100 IM U.S. Masters’ Record Under 50 Seconds (49.61)

U.S. Masters Swimming has gotten off to a quick start in 2024. At the Mr. Freeze meet at the Rockwall Aquatic Center in Texas this weekend, James Fike set a new USMS 100 IM record in the men’s 40-44 age group. The 42-year-old Fike blazed a 49.61 in the 100 IM, breaking the old record of 50.30 by .69 seconds. Markus Rogan set that standard less than a year ago in April 2023.

Fike, who swam Unattached, was out in 22.67, then came home in 26.94 on the back half of the race.

Not only does this swim bring the 100 IM USMS men’s 40-44 record under 50 seconds, it is also Fike’s first time breaking that barrier. His entry time was a 50.65, but his fastest 100 IM on record previously was a 52.09, swum at the RACE LPA Memorial Meet in November 2022. So, in addition to be a record-setting swim, it also marks a 2.48 second drop for Fike.

The founder and CEO of Fike Swim already owns three USMS Masters’ records in the 40-44 age group. In March 2023, he claimed the 100 and 200 breaststroke records in 53.13 and 1:56.61. Since then, he’s owned all three breaststroke records as he broke the 50 breaststroke record in 2021 (24.19).

He also owns the same three records in the USMS 35-39 age group. His records in the 40-44 age group are all faster than his standards in the younger age bracket. In January 2020, Fike wrote an op-ed for SwimSwam detailing the changes he’s made to his swimming, weight training, recovery, and nutrition. The “less is more” approach to training he describes is what he cites as the main factor that is helping him achieve lifetime bests past the “typical” age for setting best times in swimming.

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Bollox
8 months ago

Who cares about yards… I mean the performance is incredible but meter is the only distance that really matters.

Jack
8 months ago

I remember getting whipped by him in a 50 free in an intrasquad about 8 years ago, he went 20 point doing dolphin kicks. It was very cool to see some of the Brick prototypes back then as well.

Guthrie
9 months ago

it’s his first time under :50, but James set the record @:50.65 in 2022 which Markus dropped to :50.30. He also posted a :50.71 in 2017. These times are in the USMS database. Masters results don’t show up in the USA database, but USA times can count for Masters.

Also, to the knee-jerk, cheap shot, toxic naysayers who don’t live up to their own potential, I have no doubt that he is clean. Our ideas about athletic performance and age are completely wrong and outdated. It certainly doesn’t take PEDs to perform at a high level beyond 40. The fall-off in performance can be minimal into our 60s with the right training, recovery and nutrition. Key warrior couch potatoes… Read more »

Dr. Suess
Reply to  Guthrie
8 months ago

What does clean mean in Master’s swimming? For example, a 40+ year old male can get prescribed testosterone by their doctor legally whereas a tested USA swimmer cannot.

ACC fan
9 months ago

Wow! So inspiring!

Mean Dean
9 months ago

Hope I look half as good at 40. Wow!

Jeff Natalizio
9 months ago

I still have the 35-39 100 IM. I turned 42 last week: seeya soon, big dawg.

Jamie McHale
Reply to  Jeff Natalizio
8 months ago

What have you been doing the last two years Jeff?

Sweet Sweet Peter Rosen
9 months ago

Wonder where he swims in June in Indy. Usms nationals or Olympic trials

Batting .300 in Swamming
Reply to  Sweet Sweet Peter Rosen
9 months ago

Usms. They don’t test.

Xman
Reply to  Batting .300 in Swamming
9 months ago

Trials doesn’t either unless you make top something something… he will be fine.

Eugene
Reply to  Batting .300 in Swamming
9 months ago

Is he on juice? 🤔

Mustang_Swimmer08
Reply to  Eugene
7 months ago

he is in fact not on juice. I am a club swimmer and he’s come to one of our practices before, I’m good friends with his son and he’s 100% clean and a true inspiration!

grizzled bastard
Reply to  Sweet Sweet Peter Rosen
8 months ago

I think he made a breaststroke trials cut.

swimfan
9 months ago

Congrats!

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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