WATCH: Florida’s Bobby Finke Swims Fastest Mile in History to Win SECs in 14:12

2020 SEC SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

On night 5 of the 2020 SEC Championships, Florida’s Bobby Finke made history. Finke, a sophomore, became the fastest man ever as he defended his title in the mile. Finke lapped the field en route to his dominant 14:12.08. That crushed the former NCAA Record of 14:22.41, set by Clark Smith in 2017, by over 10 seconds. He was also over 6 seconds under the former American Record of 14:18.25 set by Zane Grothe in 2018.

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Finke dropped over 10 seconds from his former best. As a freshman, he had set the SEC Record in 14:23.01. At this meet, he also took bronze in the 500 free and 400 IM. He also has a 400 IM title to his name as he won the race in 2019. Finke will now turn his attention to next month’s NCAA Championships, where he’ll race against Michigan’s reigning NCAA Champion Felix Auboeck.

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Mariana Phipps
4 years ago

The winner is in the Lane 4th from the bottom!

sqimgod
4 years ago

Imagine if phelps trained with troy. What a monster he’d be

Blackflag82
Reply to  sqimgod
4 years ago

Honestly, I don’t know that he would have been faster. Based on the interviews I’ve read from Phelps and Bowman’s relationship, MP could be pretty high needs mentally/emotionally. I have my doubts that Troy would have dealt with that in the way MP needed.

Superfan
4 years ago

I watched the video last night and my thoughts were:
1. There wasn’t one race in that entire heat where the guys were racing one another. Everyone was all over the place!
2. It is another instance that when someone or some coach says “you didn’t have anyone to race or you could have gone faster” is an excuse. Many world records are set by swimmers who are just racing the clock and themselves. I never hear Peaty’s coach say he could have gone 54 if he just had some to race!
3. Finke is a stud!

Austinpoolboy
4 years ago

Huge swim. Leaving no doubt he’s a favorite to make the team to Tokyo and could medal there. Wow!!!

BP swims
4 years ago

That was every bit as nasty as I pictured it in my head when I heard ab his record time.

Reilly
4 years ago

This swim was bonkers. I hope that he can translate this to LCM, US mens distance swimming has been weak on the international level for too long. His stroke seems primed for success in the big pool. Keeping my fingers crossed.

DLSwim
Reply to  Reilly
4 years ago

I was thinking the same thing. This is faster than the SCM world record equivalent, so if he can translate this to long course, he could challenge all the top guys at the Olympics

Sean Justice
Reply to  Reilly
4 years ago

Remember he was almost on the world team. He went like 14:45 or something like that.

Swims1990
Reply to  Reilly
4 years ago

I heard the other top guns in event – are saving the real taper for OT.

Swimmer
4 years ago

After the 500 and now this Clark Smith just retired.

Superfan
Reply to  Swimmer
4 years ago

He was only a threat in the 200 because they take 6.

Immigrant
4 years ago

It’s time for the US race meters to set WORLD Records!

About Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh is a former NCAA swimmer at the University of Arizona (2013-2015) and the University of Florida (2011-2013). While her college swimming career left a bit to be desired, her Snapchat chin selfies and hot takes on Twitter do not disappoint. She's also a high school graduate of The …

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