2019 MEN’S NCAA SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Wednesday, March 27 – Saturday, March 30
- Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center, Austin, Texas
- Prelims 10 AM / Finals 6 PM (Central Time)
- Defending champion: Texas (4x) (2018 results)
- Psych Sheet
- Live Stream
- Live results
Superstar freshman Max McHugh of Minnesota swam the fourth fastest time in the 100 yard breaststroke this morning, touching in 50.30. Leveraging incredible pullouts and distance per stroke, McHugh blew away the first circle seeded heat over the final 50 yards to earn poll position tonight. That swim also makes him the first freshman under 51 seconds.
A quick look at the top swimmers in history:
| Rank | Swimmer | Time |
| 1. | Ian Finnerty | 49.69 |
| 2. | Caeleb Dressel | 50.03 |
| 3. | Kevin Cordes | 50.04 |
| 4. | Max McHugh | 50.30 |
| 5. | Will Licon | 50.68 |
McHugh, a Wisconsin native who came into this year as the #4 recruit in the country in our Class of 2018 Recruit Rankings, has been a revelation for the Golden Gophers, giving them two superb medley relay legs (along with sprint freestyler Bowen Becker). That combo propelled Minnesota to a a 10th place finish in last night’s 400 medley relay.
McHugh will seek to topple defending champion and NCAA/American/U.S. Open record holder Ian Finnerty in tonight’s final. Finnerty, who is the only swimmer in history to crack the 50-second barrier (49.69 at NCAA’s last season), will right next to his Big Ten rival tonight.
Why is no one talking about this. I know everyone expects finnerty to run away with this but this kid is something special. I can’t believe we’re talking about a freshmen breaking 50 when only a year ago Cordes record looked pretty untouchable…
He’s gonna be so fast his senior year.
He’s fast now!
Go Gophs!
He had best underwaters this morning by far and a monster kick. If he figures out fast pull and arm recovery (the way Finnerty does it), he will be a new American record golder. Very impressive.
WOW! A freshman.