Vlad Morozov rips the fastest 100 freestyle ever

Vlad Morozov after his record breaking 100 freestyle on night 3 of the 2013 Men’s NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship.

The 100 Freestyle, as reported by Braden Keith:

The “race” in this 100 free was anything but. By the time he emerged from the first turn, USC’s Vlad Morozov had more than half-a-body-length lead on anybody else in this field, and was swimming alone. He ended up turning in 19.14 and roaring his way to a new NCAA and U.S. Open Record of 40.76. That broke the old record held by Auburn’s Cesar Cielo in a 40.92 from 2008.

Similarly, Auburn’s Marcelo Chierighini, though battled by his fellow Brazilian Joao de Lucca on the first 50, ended up easily pulling away for 2nd in 41.51.

All eyes were focused on Vlad, though, without much of a competition for the top spots, which is just where they should have been as the fastest 100 yard free in history went down.

De Lucca, winner of the 200 earlier in the meet, was 3rd in 42.27, followed by Texas Dax Hill (42.40) and Alabama’s BJ Hornikel (42.46). Four of the top five finishers in this race represent other countries internationally (though Hornikel is a dual citizen who has spent most of his life in the United States).

Stanford’s Aaron Wayne was 6th in 42.52, Cal’s Seth Stubblefield was 7th in 42.91, and Michigan’s Bruno Ortiz rounded out the A-Final in 42.95.

USC’s Dimitri Colupaev won the B-Final in 42.80, exactly matching his prelims time, followed by Tennessee’s Sam Rairden in 42.92.