2022 Speedo Southern Sectionals
- July 7-10, 2022
- Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center, Austin, TX
- LCM
- Live Results
- Also on Meet Mobile as “2022 ST TXLA Speedo Southern Sectionals”
As we previously reported, Carson Foster threw down a speedy 1:53.67 this evening in Austin at the Speedo Southern Sectionals meet. Here’s a video of that swim, courtesy of YouTube user James Foster.
In addition to some of the other stats we mentioned in the earlier article, Foster’s swim tonight appears to make him the #13 performer all-time in the event. Among US men, only Michael Phelps has been faster since the end of the supersuit era (i.e., beginning of 2010). Phelps was faster than Foster’s time on five occasion between 2010 and his final retirement in 2016, including his finals swims at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.
Here’s a look on how Foster’s splits tonight compare to those of his IM rival, Leon Marchand, who won the silver medal performance in Budapest, as well as Michael Phelps‘ swim from the 2015 US Nationals, which remains the fastest performance by an American since the supersuit era.
| Foster 2022 | Marchand 2022 | Phelps 2015 |
| 25.14 | 25.52 | 25.14 |
| 28.40 (53.54) | 28.73 (54.25) | 28.26 (53.40) |
| 29.58 (1:23.12) | 29.41 (1:23.66) | 29.59 (1:22.99) |
| 30.55 (1:53.67) | 29.71 (1:53.37) | 29.94 (1:52.94) |
Phelps and Foster took it out in exactly the same time to the 50, and had similar times all the way through the 150. Marchand, meanwhile, took his Budapest swim out relatively slower, but then didn’t drop off as much on the back half, keeping each of his last two 50s within a second of his second 50.
All told, Foster improved from 1:58.47 to 1:53.67 in the 200 fly today. He’s also scheduled to swim the 200 back and the 400 free this week, two other events he didn’t swim at the US Trials in April. He has lifetime bests of 1:57.28 (from 2022) and 3:48.35 (from 2021) in those two events, and he could be very well in line to improve on both those times. If he does, for the sake of reference, it took a 1:55.46 and a 3:46.93 to qualify to represent the US at this summer’s World Championships.
While Foster’s become known primarily as an IMer, it’s worth noting that his very first appearance on SwimSwam, almost exactly ten years ago in 2012, was due to a (much shorter) fly event.
In what event could Carson get an Olympic gold medal?
He’s definitely in the medals already in several events.
The IMs showcase his talent the most. But Marchand is on fire right now.
The men’s 200 back is more open than other events.
Probably the Russians will be back next year so he’ll probably have to get down to 1:53 to contend for gold but you’d think Rylov can’t keep going 1:53s forever …
Prob the 200 IM, he’s not too far behind the main contenders like Marchand and Scott. His fly/back/free are as good if not better than Marchand and the breastroke isn’t as long enough to make as big of a difference as in a 400 IM so prob the best event for him to beat Marchand
I think Marchand may be better in the 400 than the 200.
The 1:55 barrier has only been breached by Phelps and Lochte. So if Carson gets under 1:55, then he’ll be right there for gold.
Tbh Foster is the best in the world field on the front half of the Im. Marchand is just too dangerous on the breast. But as it’s a 200 I would assume Carson could pull his breast to make it even faster and he really has no issues in free. 2 back is very very interesting though….Rylov won’t be able to keep up his peak so maybe Foster takes the mantle in 2 yearss?
I just love how on this site Foster swimming a 1:53.6 is a bigger news than Milak swimming a 1:50.3.
First of all, it isn’t. There’s 1,077 comments on the article from day 4 of worlds where he set the world record. Lots of them talking about Milak in some fashion. Second of all, this is still an incredible swim. A guy who doesn’t train fly (and has never swam this event on the world stage) going a time that would have been 4th at the world championships is pretty newsworthy if you ask me.
In every way, from every angle, it is. Milak has been the king of the event since 2018. Foster has many events where he is very impressive, but this one is a huge drop, out of the blue, very close to top times ever
Great. Another Foster hater, come on it’s getting ridiculous.
Who on Earth expected Foster to pull this off, even after a tiring World Championships?! Could we see Foster in the 200 fly at NCAA’s over the 200 back?
Carson Foster has the same skillset as MP. Both are built for 400 IM with strong fly legs. That translates well to 200 IM, 200 free, 200 fly, etc. I’m happy for Carson but I can’t say I’m too surprised. Dude is talented.
A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one
Huge fan of his, but geez, I underestimated him in this event at this meet.
Pretty excited to see what he can go in the 200 back and 400 Free! After that swim… will we see a time that would have won worlds in the 200 back? I think (thought?) his backstroke is better than his fly.
So…1:56 200bk and 3:44 400fr upcoming?
Wouldn’t be suprised
After this, 1:54 back seems likely.
Crazy how almost all the elite 400 IMers like Phelps, Seto, Cseh, Kalisz, Marchand, and now Foster can throw down a mean 200 fly. Makes you wonder how fast Ryan Lochte would’ve gone in that event lol