Luke Hobson Winning the 200 Free Is Eddie Reese Perfection

2024 MEN’S NCAA SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• March 27-30, 2024
• IUPUI Natatorium, Indianapolis, Indiana
• Short Course Yards (25 yards)
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• Day 1 Finals Live Recap
• Day 2 Prelims Live Recap | Day 2 Finals Live Recap

Over the course of his historic tenure at the University of Texas, head coach Eddie Reese turned Austin into one of the premiere destination for rangy, mid-distance freestylers.

Luke Hobson is the latest example, and he’s one in a long line of freestylers who have developed into stars during their time as a Longhorn. Looking back through the NCAA record books, the names come slowly, then all at once: Doug Gjersten, who won the first 200 free NCAA title for a Reese-coached Texas team. Josh Davis making it three wins in six years for Texas with his 1993 win.

Classmates Dave Walters and Ricky Berens forming a lethal pair on the 800 freestyle relay along with Michael Klueh. Townley Haas winning three straight titles from 2016-2018 and setting the NCAA record at 1:29.50. Drew Kibler collecting his first individual NCAA title in the 200 freestyle.

There’s a common denominator among the athletes on this list that Hobson will aim to share with them later this year–they’re all Olympians. Some are more known for their impact at the Olympics than their college exploits but Reese’s effect on their results is still keenly felt.

At least one of Reese’s swimmers has been on every Olympic team since 1984. And while Texas’ dominance in the NCAA (including 15 national team titles) and their presence on the international stage is not confined to just mid-distance freestyle, those are the events that have been at the program’s core.

That brings us back to Hobson. In 2023, he continued the improvement curve he’s been on since arriving in Austin. He broke 1:30 leading off the 800 freestyle relay, then earned national titles in the 200 and 500 freestyle. Now a junior, Hobson arrived in Indianapolis further down on the psych sheet, which was maybe evidence of his focus on the long-course pool (he won bronze in the 200-meter free at 2024 Worlds).

Hobson once again found success leading off the 800 freestyle relay. He broke the legendary Dean Farris‘ 200 freestyle NCAA and American records by two-hundredths in a 1:29.13. But one heat later, all he had left was the American record as Leon Marchand torched his mark and became the first person to break 1:29 (1:28.97).

Neither Reese nor Hobson panicked. On day 3 prelims, Hobson set the tone with a 1:29.75. It was the first time anyone had swum a 1:29 in prelims and also the first time someone had put together two sub-1:30 swims at the same meet.

But the best was yet to come for Hobson. In the final, he got revenge by reclaiming the NCAA record. He defended his title in a blistering 1:28.81, taking the records back from Marchand. In addition to another NCAA title, it earned Hobson another accolade: he’s the first person not named Leon Marchand to break a Marchand NCAA and U.S. Open record.

As you can see from the splits, Hobson swam his race very differently in tonight’s final. Instead of stepping on the gas during the front half of the race, Hobson saved his push for the back 100 yards. He let himself be led around by Jack Alexy and Chris Guiliano on the first 50 yards, then began to close the gap from there.

Hobson and Reese were able to adjust the race strategy during the meet and get Hobson his record back. It’s similar to what Haas and Reese did six years ago. This isn’t the best team that Texas has ever brought to an NCAA championship meet, but Reese still had a trick left up his sleeve. The ability to adjust from the relay to the individual is the skill of a legendary coach that understands of the art of the tinker.

It’s one last dose of Eddie magic.