Tom Shields Cracks American Record In Men’s 50 Fly Semis

2016 SHORT COURSE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

After posting the top split of 20.58 in the men’s 4×50 free relay where the Americans won silver, Tom Shields proceeded to break his own American Record en route to qualifying 1st overall for the men’s 50 fly final tomorrow. Shields clocked a time of 22.38 in the first semi-final, sneaking under his old record of 22.46 set four years ago at the 2012 World Championships in Istanbul. The swim tonight moves Shields into 14th all-time, up from 18th.

Shields has had a busy week, winning a pair of silvers in the 100 and 200 fly along with three relay medals. Shields won bronze four years ago in that American Record breaking swim in Istanbul. He failed to medal two years ago in Doha, finishing 5th in 22.57.

Seeded second for tomorrow’s final is the defending champion Chad Le Clos, who was just behind Shields in 22.41. Le Clos won gold ahead of Shields in both the 100 and 200 fly earlier in the meet.

This is Shields’ third and final individual event of the meet, though he will certainly make an appearance on Saturday and Sunday in the men’s 4×50 and 4×100 medley relays.

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About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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