2022 NCAA DIVISION I MEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- March 23-26, 2022
- McAuley Aquatic Center, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, Georgia (Eastern Daylight Time)
- Prelims 10AM /Finals 6PM
- Short Course Yards (25 yards)
- Live Results
- Championship Central
- Event Page
- SwimSwam Preview Index
- Official Psych Sheets
- Virtual Championship Program
- SwimSwam Pick Em’s Contest
- Qualified relay teams
500 free
- NCAA Record: Kieran Smith (FLOR): 4:06.32
- NCAA Meet Record: Jake Magahey (UGA): 4:07.97
- American Record: Kieran Smith (FLOR): 4:06.32
- US Open Record: Kieran Smith (FLOR): 4:06.32
- Pool Record: Peter Vanderkaay (CW): 4:08.60
Top 8 finishers:
- Matt Sates (UGA): 4:08.73
- Jake Magahey (UGA): 4:09.22
- Alfonso Mestre (FLOR): 4:09.74
- Luke Hobson (TEX): 4:10.38
- Kieran Smith (FLOR): 4:10.53
- Ross Dant (NCST): 4:10.66
- David Johnston (TEX): 4:10.96
- Brooks Fail (ZONA): 4:11.27
UGA freshman Matt Sates, who joined the Bulldogs during the winter semester, took the top seed for tonight’s final in the 500 free. Sates swam a new personal best of 4:08.73, dipping under 4:09 for the first time in his young career. Despite only dropping 0.33 seconds from his best time, the performance moved Sates up 3 spots in the all-time rankings. He’s now the #8 performer all-time.
Here is the current all-time top 10 in the men’s SCY 500 free, which will almost certainly change once tonight’s finals roll around:
| Rank | Time | Swimmer | Meet |
| 1 | 4:06.32 | Kieran Smith | 2020 SEC Champs |
| 2 | 4:06.71 | Jake Magahey | 2021 SEC Champs |
| 3 | 4:07.25 | Zane Grothe | 2017 Winter Nationals |
| 4 | 4:08.19 | Townley Haas | 2019 NCAA DI |
| 5 | 4:08.26 | Drew Kibler | 2020 ST TEX First Chance Invite |
| 6 | 4:08.42 | Clark Smith | 2017 NCAA DI |
| 7 | 4:08.54 | Peter Vanderkaay | 2008 MI OLY Michigan Open |
| 8 | 4:08.73 | Matt Sates | 2022 NCAA DI |
| 9 | 4:08.75 | Tom Dolan | 1995 US Men’s NCAA Champs |
| 10 | 4:08.92 | Jean Basson | 2009 NCAA DI |
Additionally, Sates is now the #2 freshman all-time in the event. Notably, he’s behind only UGA teammate Jake Magahey, who swam a 4:06.71 last year as a freshman. That means Georgia has the fastest two freshman in NCAA history in the 500 free.
Another interesting piece of Sates’ swim: his splitting. Here are Sates’ 100 splits this morning:
- 47.64
- 51.31
- 51.52
- 48.89
- 49.38
What’s fascinating about this splitting is it essentially mimics the way Sates swam his SCM 400 free this past fall when he broke the World Jr Record. In that race, these were Sates’ splits:
- 52.56
- 56.62
- 55.54
- 53.20
Going to be interesting to see how tactical this race is tonight. Would have loved to see Finke part of the final for just that reason.
Man Kieran has my pickems a little scared right now, I’m going to tell myself he went out fast so he could pace the back half and save up for a 4:05.xx tonight
What’s so impressive about how he swims is how well he can play with his pace and how many different gears he can swim with. Kind of reminds me of Chad le Clos from 2013-2016.
Sates and Magahey both negative split.. Hobson and Fail, almost. Kieran was out fast… did he back off, or is he just not quite there this meet? We’ll see in a few hours..
I think he’s more focused on LC but who knows. His 200 yesterday was also not incredibly fast
Unless Sates trolls on the 2nd and 3rd hundred again he breaks the record tonight.
Tom Dolan 1995
Literally every event tonight is gonna a dogfight for a winner and fast with that
Off topic, but with Kieran a little off, Kibler not training for the 500 lately, Pieroni injured, Seli and Townley retired, and Dressel uninterested, what’s the American 800 FR gonna look like at World Championships this year? I’m a little worried, somebody call Phelps and Lochte!
Smith, Kibler, Urlando, yes Dressel. If no Dressel, then House/Foster… Julian, Magahey, Hobson might give it a run. Doesn’t look like a winning team but USA will do better than people are worrying about right now.
Throw Gabriel Jett onto that list after the summer and freshman yr he’s had.
It’s not too worrisome. Look at the 8 fr relay at SC worlds. Of course SC and LCM don’t equate, but the US has a lot of young talent that can swim a great 2 fr, even if it isnt necesarily their best event. (Urlando, Foster, Julian)
With Russia out of the WCs, the USA should be in good shape to get bronze, unless Italy makes some strides this year. Still think GBR is the overwhelming favorite, then AUS for silver even with Kyle out.