In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman Hodges and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.
Kieran Smith tied his 500 free American and NCAA Records on the nose tonight at the SEC Championships, clocking 4:06.32 for the second straight year to defend his title.
It didn’t come easy, however, as Georgia’s Jake Magahey took almost four seconds off his best time to become the second-fastest swimmer in history in 4:06.71.
Smith Record Split Comparison
| SMITH, 2020 SECS | SMITH, 2021 SECS |
| 22.45 | 22.04 |
| 47.28 (24.83) | 46.31 (24.27) |
| 1:12.07 (24.79) | 1:10.81 (24.50) |
| 1:37.08 (25.01) | 1:35.70 (24.89) |
| 2:02.25 (25.17) | 2:00.86 (25.16) |
| 2:27.35 (25.10) | 2:26.23 (25.37) |
| 2:52.40 (25.05) | 2:51.53 (25.30) |
| 3:17.25 (24.85) | 3:16.90 (25.37) |
| 3:42.19 (24.94) | 3:42.06 (25.16) |
| 4:06.32 (24.13) | 4:06.32 (24.26) |
Smith said this difference in splitting was by design, reflecting that he needed to be out faster if he wanted to get to that next level. However, Smith is optimistic that there is a good middle ground to be found from his 2 4:06 outings, and he’s confident he can find the right splitting come NCAA’s to reach a new personal best.
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Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.
I’m 30. Will someone break the 4:00 barrier in my lifetime?
Maybe… Katie Ledecky was asked about breaking 8:00 for her 800, & even she said that would be really really rough. Same here, but hoping nonetheless for both. Why not? To achieve this monumental feat, a swimmer would have to average 48 flat per 100, 1:36 per 200. Kieran made that milestone the first 200 but not after that. That would be a phenomenal effort. Let’s get to 4:03.00 first!
I mean, he went out in a 200 time that would have gotten him a finals spot in the 200 at NCAAs within the past 20 years. 20 years from now, someone could be going out in 1:32, which puts them well under pace. I know it sounds so insane, but this is an insane sport.
I’d vote yes.
If the sport ever gets an influx of Lebron James-caliber athletes, and tech continues to develop (in 40 years, it will), I think it happens.
What about the supersuited 1:42 in the 200 free LCM and 2:01 in the Women’s 200 fly ?
Is it possible to swim sub 20 in the 50 free LCM ?
The 50 free should’ve already been be sub 20. All These sprinters just gotta stop training so many yards….
If you look at how much better Thorpe/Agnel were than any Americans, you’d have to think a peak-form swimmer might have gone 4:03 already
I think that’s probably a reasonable assertion.
I think that at some point in the future, someone will assemble a “pro” meet with swimmers around the world and have them swim yards races for some cash prizes if they break records.
Of course, trainingfor a yards meet versus just showing up and swimming yards aren’t exactly the same. There are stroke counts and stuff where going out cold turkey could become a challenge, plus the short course pool is really short, so turns matter even more than SCM.
Not even Thorpe could have gone under 4:02 imo
Love his candidness.
Great interview! And kudos for getting him to do an interview right before going to bed.
I think he can go under at NCAA’s. When I see those splits it looks like all he needs is some more rest to hold the pace for the whole 500. Hope he gets under 4:06!
Podcast mid meet?
I think in the grand scheme of things, those will be the 2 standout swims for Kieran this weekend. However, I genuinely hope he proves me wrong. Then we’ll just have to bring him back on 😏
I love watching your podcasts, hopefully he will go faster at NCs. I would just be nervous talking about swims mid meet lol
I think it’s better than post race interviews, just a quick chat after the athlete has had some time to reflect
Yeah I get it, just a quick turn around though. I’d want to just talk after the meet personally.