2016 MEN’S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Wednesday, March 23 – Saturday, March 26
- McAuley Aquatic Center – Atlanta, GA
- Prelims 10AM/Finals 6PM (Eastern Time)
- Defending Champion: Texas (results)
- Championship Central
- Live stream: Wednesday/Thursday prelins & finals, Friday/Saturday prelims / Friday/Saturday finals on ESPN3
- Live results
In one of the most eye-popping swims you may ever see, Texas freshman Townley Haas crushed the NCAA, American, and U.S. Open record in the 200 yard freestyle with a final time of 1:30.46. Fresh off of teammate Joseph Schooling’s 100 butterfly record, Haas came out on a mission, clocking 20.90 in the first 50 and flipping at 43.61 at the 100, nearly a full second under the previous record pace from Simon Burnett of Arizona. Haas slowed down a bit over the final 100 (closing in “only” a 46.85), but was enough below pace to crush Burnett’s standard.
A comparison of the splits:
Simon Burnett (2006, Atlanta): 21.28, 44.44 [23.16], 1:07.53 [23.09], 1:31.20 [23.67]
Townley Haas (2016, Atlanta): 20.90, 43.61 [22.71], 1:06.92 [23.31], 1:30.46 [23.54]
Impressively, that swim was actually under Haas’ record split from Wednesday night when he was completely fresh. Doubly impressive: Haas is just a freshman, and has three more years to dip under the 1:30 barrier.
1.30.46 flat-start! 😯 😯 😯 😯
I can’t still believe it!
And he’s only a freshman!
Before the meet I’ve written it was time to break that antique record of Simon Burnett.
But I never expected it would be done this week.
Especially by such a margin!
He broke it by 0.74s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When we know that so many big names were unable to break it, that time is insane.
Sorry Ryan Murphy. Sorry Joseph Schooling. While all you records are amazing, I consider the performance of Mr Haas the most impressive performance of the meet so far and probably in the top 5 of the greatest SCY men’s swims ever.
Ok guys, I’m the first… Read more »
Townley’s 200 flat start was actually faster than his relay split. Amazing. The future of American swimming just became brighter.
Dude this is nuts
And I thought I was impressed by last year’s Ncaas ????
Swimming SCY to LCM is totally different.
The critics will be watching closely.
Can Townley beat Sun, Agnel,Mcevoy in the 200 @ Rio ?? Hmmm it remains to be seen.
More likely as a team USA member for a relay birth. Im sure Townley might be ripe for a individual spot for the next worlds.
One thing to keep in mind here though is that Haas is doing this with no underwater swimming. Prior to this meet his lcm 200 was significantly more impressive than his his scy 200 time. He’s got to do the swimming, but his progression should translate in the big pool.
Interesting comment and idea. Haas is swimming the 1650 tomorrow night to help secure a Texas victory. He would never do this for himself, rather swim for the team championship. Great things take time and he is coming along well beyond expectations.
If the USA swimming database is correct Haas has gone from 1:35.19 (12/14) to 1:30.46. Wonder what he could go right now in a LCM 200 free. He was 1:47.55 last summer. 1:43? 1:44? Dare I suggest a 1:42?
Could definitely see a 1:44. A 1:43’s a bit unlikely and 1:42 would be insane.
Maybe 1:43 low Tokyo, textile record. Maybe he could hit 1:42 something for a lifetime best-And with dressels start and turns—- 1:41 is a possibility.
Guy has just average turns too so room to take that even lower.
That could also bode well for his long course prospects… Perhaps another potential Olympic contender in the 200 in the making? (Or at least an 800 free relay member?)
This 200 has to be one of the best swims ever. When you think of all the studs who have swum this race at NCAAs in the decade since Burnett’s record and the nearly second Haas took off that time … Just a mind blow