2023 NCAA DIVISION I MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- March 22-25, 2023
- Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center | Minneapolis, MN
- SCY (25 yards)
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheets
- SwimSwam Preview Index
- SwimSwam Pick ’em Contest
- Live Results
- Day 4 Prelims Heat Sheet
- 1650 Free Heat Sheet
- Day 4 Prelims Live Recap
We’re nearing the end of one of the most intense meets on the planet, but times keep improving, at least in some events.
This morning, it took a scathing 41.34 to make the A-final of the 100 free. Last year, that time would’ve placed 5th prelims. Not only that, but this morning’s session saw two men go under 41: Cal’s Jack Alexy (40.88) and Tennessee Jordan Crooks (40.92). That appears to be the first time we’ve seen two sub-41s in prelims.
Here’s an event-by-event look at how the times it took this morning to make the A- or B-finals compared to those times from the last three NCAA Championships.
| 2019 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
| 200 Back (8th) | 1:39.37 | 1:40.20 | 1:39.49 | 1:39.54 |
| 200 Back (16th) | 1:40.86 | 1:41.08 | 1:40.37 | 1:40.75 |
| 100 Free (8th) | 41.76 | 41.83 | 41.52 | 41.34 |
| 100 Free (16th) | 42.18 | 42.47 | 41.92 | 41.95 |
| 200 Breast (8th) | 1:52.75 | 1:52.30 | 1:51.32 | 1:51.44 |
| 200 Breast (16th) | 1:53.81 | 1:53.32 | 1:52.57 | 1:52.26 |
| 200 Fly (8th) | 1:40.94 | 1:41.33 | 1:40.63 | 1:41.39 |
| 200 Fly (16th) | 1:41.77 | 1:42.51 | 1:41.76 | 1:42.24 |
While the top end of the 200 back was as strong as ever, including a 1:36 from defending champion Destin Lasco, the 8th and 16th places were a little slower than last year’s times.
The 200 breast was a big of a wash, as a slightly slower time made it into the A-final versus last year, but the last time to get into the B-final was a few tenths faster. ASU sophomore Leon Marchand led the field with a 1:49.64, and he should take a run at his own US Open record of 1:47.67 tonight.
Just as in the 200 back and 100 free, a Cal bear put up the fastest time of the morning in the 200 fly, where Gabriel Jett led the field with a 1:39.71. This field was notably slower than in previous years, where we were getting accustomed to seeing multiple sub-1:40s in prelims. The 8th place time this morning was a 1:41.39, nearly eight-tenths slower than last year (albeit today’s 8th place time was a tie), and the 16th place time was about half a second slower than last year.
Overall, it was slightly easier to make the respective finals than it was last year, but with plenty of lightning-fast swims at the top, tonight’s finals session should be as exciting as ever.