2021 MINNESOTA INVITE
- Wednesday, December 1 – Saturday, December 4, 2021
- Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center, Minneapolis, Minn.
- Prelims – 10 AM / Finals – 6 PM (CST)
- SCY (25y)
- Psych Sheets
- Live Results
- Results also on Meet Mobile as “Minnesota Invite 2021”
- Live Stream (fee)
- Day 2 Finals Live Recap
University of Texas freshman Luke Hobson has shattered his own National Age Group Record, from prelims, and become the youngest swimmer to go sub-4:10 in the 500 yard freestyle.
Swimming on Thursday at the Minnesota Invite, Hobson won the 500 free in 4:09.72. He beat out Arizona’s Brooks Fail (4:10.32), who finished 3rd at last year’s NCAA Championships.
Hobson’s record-setting prelims time was 4:12.12. That swim broke the record by the greatest swimmer in history, Michael Phelps, who swam 4:12.33 in March 2004 when he was only 17 years old.
Splits Comparison:
| Hobson | Hobson | |
| Finals Record | Prelims Record | |
| 50m | 22.75 | 23.65 |
| 100m | 24.77 (47.52) | 25.60 (49.25) |
| 150m | 25.21 (1:12.73) | 25.64 (1:14.89) |
| 200m | 25.27 (1:38.00) | 25.96 (1:40.85) |
| 250m | 25.35 (2:03.35) | 25.85 (2:06.70) |
| 300m | 25.19 (2:28.54) | 25.53 (2:32.23) |
| 350m | 25.30 (2:53.30) | 25.39 (2:57.62) |
| 400m | 25.45 (3:19.29) | 25.41 (3:23.03) |
| 450m | 25.74 (3:45.03) | 24.82 (3:47.85) |
| 500m | 24.69 (4:09.72) | 24.27 (4:12.12) |
In prelims, Hobson negative-split his 500 free, going 2:06.70-2:05.42. In finals, he went out hard, and looked like he might be on a 4:08 or even 4:07 pace, but he did fade a little more in the back-half of the race. The end result, though, was still much better thanks to that more aggressive pacing. In the evening, he split 2:03.35-2:06.37.
Hobson’s time also makes him the fourth-fastest freshman in the history of the event.
Fastest NCAA Freshmen Ever in Men’s 500 Yard Freestyle:
- Jake Magahey, Georgia, 2021 – 4:06.71
- Felix Auboeck, Michigan, 2017 – 4:08.95
- Townley Haas, Texas, 2016 – 4:09.00
- Luke Hobson, Texas, 2021 – 4:09.72
- Grant Shoults, Stanford, 2017 – 4:10.23
Hobson doesn’t age up until June 25, 2022, meaning that he will finish the season as a 17-18.
Hobson’s best time coming into college was a 4:16.56 from the March 2021 St. George Sectionals. Since then, he improved his best time in the 400 meter free by four seconds, peaking at 3:52.79. That time placed him 19th at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
A very gnarly swim! Mad props to Hobson! Now let’s imagine if keeps the last 100 speed (prelims) at NCAAs… it will be a show! 🤯
Magahey went like 4:06 just after turning 19 right?
He turned 19 in September 2020 and went 4:06 in February 2021.
NCAAs is looking FAST
Now I’m wondering how long David Nolan’s nag record will last?
Disregard this one the system kept Saying pending.
Just a thought now that MP’s 500 free NAG record finally bit the dust, I’m wondering how much longer until some American 17 or 18 year old goes sub 1:40 in the 2 IM?
meh nolan’s hs record is kind of untouchable rn imo, even today it can land in top 5 at ncaa’s. it’s kind if crazy how fast that swim was at the time
I knew this kid was legit when I heard about his no-cap no-gogs 50 strategy. Only a matter of time until he shattered a NAG record. It’ll be interesting to see where he is come NCs.
What strategy is that?
Legend has it that the first time he wore a cap was at Texas
Confirmed. He has never worn a cap until he “wanted to try it out” at Texas. Apparently it works
For the 50 LCM he’d have a shaven head and not use goggles. Pretty cool stuff.
If you’re gonna break a Phelps record, you have to do it in style. And boy did Hobson deliver!