After knocking out a 1:08.4 in long course in the prelims, Texas A&M sophomore Breeja Larson continued to blow up the breaststroking world with a 58.68 in the yards-course final. That time is within two tenths of the mark that earned her 2nd at last year’s NCAA Championship meet. That sits just behind fromer Minnesota Gopher Jillian Tyler as the 2nd-fastest in-season time by a collegiate swimmer ever.
Even beyond Larson, this was an incredibly fast session, and also featured sprint freestyler Amanda Kendall of LSU showing off some versatility. She posted a 53.16 to take top honors in the 100 fly. While she’s best known for her 50 and 100 freestyles, she showed with that swim that in her day two race at NCAA’s, she could be a contender for points as well.
Kendall’s National Team teammate Cammile Adams of A&M posted the nation’s best time in the 400 IM with a 4:09.24.
On the men’s side, the star was rising Brazilian star Joao de Lucca of Louisville, who posted a 1:35.64, which easily clears the country’s best time (by bigger than a second). He was the Brazilian runner-up in the 100 free at the Jose Finkel Trophy, Brazil’s summer National Championship meet, and is now showing some serious chops in the 200 as well.
Full meet results available here.
Ok, it’s not Emma Schoettmmer but it’s Emma Schoettmer.
To Emilyr, ok the period after Rebecca Soni can be tough for USA but first perhaps she will swim after 2012, and if not you have some young girls who will be among the best breaststrokers in the world in the next years. Andrea Kropp who can follow the steps of Rebecca Soni with Salo’s effect, Emma Schoettmmer who was very impressive at the Junior Nationals this summer, Breeja Larson who continues to improve and perhaps Caitlin Leverenz who is perhaps now more a IM swimmer. I put money on Emma Schoettmmer, she has a finish which can destroy her opponents. For me there’s no problem. You know here in France we have no breaststrokers on the women’s side since… Read more »
i’m also a pure newbie when it comes to college swimming & NCAAs (i.e. dont know much haha) but really excited for Breeja’s developing potential and cant wait to see what she can do in lcm come this summer!
as Braden mentioned we really need someone who can step up and hang in there w/the best in the world when it comes to the womens br events…
no disrespect to the amazing Amanda B & the rest but imo there isn’t anyone in this country right now after Rebecca that can do that in the 200, well at least we have Jessica who can be up there w/her Trojan teammate in the 100.
We know her big potential. I’m not a specialist of NCAA but it’s a very good time at this period of the season. Was she fully rested for this meet? Under 58 in NCAA championships? Breeja Larson is clearly now the woman to beat in college.
That’s incredible! Looking forward to her 200 tomorrow.