Louisville’s Jake Eccelston Breaks The 17-18 NAG in the 200 Breaststroke—1:51.03

by Claire Wong 10

February 22nd, 2025 ACC, College, News

2025 ACC Swimming and Diving Championships

Men’s 200 Breast – Finals

Top 8:

  1. Carles Coll Marti (Virginia Tech) – 1:49.62
  2. Yamato Okadome (Cal) – 1:50.19
  3. Denis Petrashov (Louisville) – 1:50.35
  4. Jake Eccleston (Louisville) – 1:51.03 **NAG
  5. Ben Delmar (UNC) – 1:51.29
  6. Daniel Li (Stanford) – 1:52.60
  7. Xavier Ruiz (UNC) – 1:53.10
  8. Tommy Bried (Louisville) – 1:54.75

Jake Eccleston, a freshman at Louisville, took 4th at ACCs in 1:51.03. That time marks a new 17-18 National Age Group, breaking Josh Matheny‘s standard of 1:51.38 which he set in 2020. Matheny is a 2024 US Olympian in this event, and finished 7th in the Olympic final. Prior to today, Eccleston owned a best time of 1:52.95, which he swam in order to win Winter Juniors back in December of 2023. Eccleston is no stranger to records, as he owns the Colorado High School 4A Record in the 100 breast (53.67), which he set in his senior year of high school.

He also owns several Colorado 15-18 LSC records, namely in the 100 breast (52.74), 200 breast (1:52.95), and 400 IM (3:47.12) short course and 200 breast (2:13.50) long course.

This swim however, marks Eccleston’s first National Age Group Record. He lowered his previous best this morning with a time of 1:51.84 in prelims to earn the top seed heading into finals, which moved him up to #6 all-time in the age group.

Splits Comparison:

Distance Josh Matheny – 2020 MA Winter 18 & Under Champs (Previous NAG) Jake Eccleston – 2025 ACC Championships (New NAG) Jake Eccleston – 2025 ACC Championships (Prelims) Jake Eccleston – 2023 Winter Juniors (Previous PB)
50 25.27 24.98 25.20 25.73
100 53.68 (28.41) 53.19 (28.21) 53.77 (28.57) 54.18 (28.45)
150 1:22.10 (28.42) 1:22.02 (28.83) 1:22.80 (29.03) 1:23.24 (29.06)
200 1:51.38 (29.28) 1:51.03 (29.01) 1:51.84 (29.04) 1:52.95 (29.71)

Eccleston was out nearly a half a second faster than Matheny, and also had a stronger closing 50. In his record breaking swim, he broke the 25 barrier on his opening 50 and nearly broke the 29 barrier on his final one. This quick opening and closing speed is what helped him break the NAG, as Matheny’s third 50 of 28.42 was nearly half a second quicker than Eccleston’s 28.83.

In comparison to his previous best time and prelims swim, Eccleston was faster on every single 50.

Today’s performance is simply a continuation of Eccleston’s impressive showing at this meet: on Friday, he clocked a personal best of 51.49 in the 100 breast to win the B-final, which puts him at #5 spot all-time in the 17-18 age group.

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Andrew
1 month ago

Louisville does rly well with this caliber of swimmer. They’re never going to get top 5 recruits that score 50+ at NCs, but it’s the constant development of that next tier of guys (BOTR/HM caliber recruits) that can chip in points and relays efforts that will keep them a perpetual top 15 team

(G)olden Bear
Reply to  Andrew
1 month ago

Why can they not get top 10 recruits?

Buttafly
Reply to  (G)olden Bear
1 month ago

Because Texas and Cal and Indiana get them. Totally agree w Andrew here, Louisville is great at developing talent. A guy like Tommy Bried is another example

(G)olden Bear
Reply to  Buttafly
1 month ago

And Michigan, Florida, Virginia, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Georgia, NC State, Stanford, etc? They don’t get them either? I think Arthur is a great coach. I’m just honestly asking why they don’t get the T10 recruits.

Last edited 1 month ago by (G)olden Bear
Andrew
Reply to  (G)olden Bear
1 month ago

Because they’re located in Louisville Kentucky…

Foreign Embassy
Reply to  Andrew
1 month ago

For once we agree!👏🏽😂

Foreign Embassy
Reply to  (G)olden Bear
1 month ago

I think it has more to do with living in Kentucky….

Jim Nickell
1 month ago

Great job Jake!

Captain Bubbles
1 month ago

WOW. Well hopefully continue to get stronger and faster.
Also nice to see an honest-to-goodness age grouper competing with all the fifth years and one-and-done Europeans!

PreachBrother
Reply to  Captain Bubbles
1 month ago

Amen! 🇺🇸