WATCH: Ryan Hoffer Fires Off 18.71 50 Free at Winter Jr Championships

2016 U.S. WINTER JUNIOR CHAMPS – WEST

Scottsdale Aquatic Club’s Ryan Hoffer has been having quite a meet so far at the western version of the 2016 U.S. Winter Junior Championships. Hoffer, a Cal commit, became the 2nd junior swimmer (18 & under) ever to break 19 seconds in the 50 free, tying Nathan Adrian‘s Pool Record in the process.

He first hit that mark in prelims, blowing away the field with an 18.88 for the first sub-19 swim of his career. He then accomplished the feat again to win gold in the final, only he was even faster that time with an 18.71. That was just .04 shy of the 17-18 NAG Record of 18.67, which was done by current American Record holder Caeleb Dressel in 2015. Hoffer will get one more chance to break it if he leads off the 200 free relay on Friday night.

Check out the video of his finals race below, courtesy of Jj Strain’s YouTube channel.

With his 18.71, Hoffer is now the 7th fastest 50 yard freestyler of all time, and the 3rd fastest American of all time. The only U.S. men who have been faster are Dressel (18.20) and Adrian (18.66).

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bobo gigi
7 years ago

Thanks for the video.
If I count well, 7 arm strokes in the first 25 and 8 in the second 25.

Tom from Chicago
7 years ago

Wow.

Swimnerd
7 years ago

On my watch I had him breaking out at 15 meters around 5.18 seconds and off the flip breaking the surface and hitting the marker around 5.86 seconds.

coach
7 years ago

Why do so few athletes really commit to the underwaters? I blame us coaches for not believing and selling it.

Hatt
Reply to  coach
7 years ago

For underwaters like this you need swimmers with a talent for underwaters.

Uberfan
7 years ago

4 people went below 20 at East including twins separated by .01

Swimnerd
Reply to  Uberfan
7 years ago

East> West

bobo gigi
Reply to  Swimnerd
7 years ago

At West it’s almost all about Hoffer. I don’t forget Regan Smith who could break some records in the last 2 days.
At the opposite the depth of talents at East is crazy.
I bet right now there are at least 6 or 7 juniors from the East meet who will go to Tokyo in 2020.

Dan
Reply to  Swimnerd
7 years ago

West does better in the big pool.

CraigH
Reply to  Uberfan
7 years ago

How many went below :19?

Years of Plain Suck
7 years ago

Watch the video and you’ll see that the amazing BOBO of Dads was second in 19.90

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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