Cameron Craig is scheduled to compete for the first time in over a year at the Big Red Challenge in Holland, Michigan. Craig, the 2017 Pac-12 Champion in the 100 and 200 yard freestyles, has not raced since the 2018 NCAA Championship meet – where he placed 13th overall in the 200 free. In January, he told SwimSwam that he would be leaving Arizona State, saying at the time that he was unsure about whether he would return to the NCAA.
The 21-year old Craig is representing the host team, Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics, at the meet and is entered in 4 events: the 50 free, 100 free, 50 fly, and 100 fly. Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics is the same club that US National Teamer Devon Nowicki is training with. Nowicki left Oakland University and went pro early, forgoing his remaining eligibility. Like Nowicki, Craig is from the eastern part of the state, whereas Holland is on the western coast of Michigan.
Nowicki is not entered in the meet.
When Craig had his best meet in long course, at the 2017 US National Championships at just 19-years old, he finished 19th in the 200 free prelims, 13th in the 100 fly finals, and 11th in the 100 free finals. Only Maxine Rooney, who was born about 2 months after Craig, finished higher than him in that 100 free at a younger age at that meet.
Craig’s Best Times in Yards/LCM:
- 50 free – 19.50/23.56
- 100 free – 41.95/49.18
- 200 free – 1:31.17/1:49.24
- 100 back – 47.33/54.74
- 200 back – 1:47.47/2:07.27
- 100 fly – 47.18/52.63
- 200 fly – 2:00.65/2:24.68
- 200 IM – 1:42.75/2:06.20
Several Holland Aquatic Center pool records could be in jeopardy this weekend, including the 50 meter freestyle record of 23.60, maybe with a few swimmers getting under the record. MLA teammates have been tearing it up in sprint sets at the end of each practice!
Yeah he used to drop 24.0 in practice man, that pool record is gone.
A great meet for a swimmer to step up to plate after not competing for a while. Right off the bat, I’m sure he’s going to throw down a swim out of left field. Can’t wait to see what he does this weekend!
Home run! ✌️
Isn’t that the dude with the absolutely monstrous 50 kick?
nope thats ross dant
MLA getting a little progroup going… 👀👀
Come by if you like 💪
These big boys are definitely in a league if their own!
Glad you didn’t say “post grad” group cause they only graduated high school!
Bummer. Coach at CW went out of his way to help him a few years ago. Wish he would have gone back to them. Pretty swam his best at that time.
Hey I was there that summer too. Keltan aint at CW anymore anyway. MLA has a new(ish) coach. Its a good program. Home State. Why not give it a shot. Other option is CW Elite, which is just more of the same training he has been doing.
Not Kelton. Gunnar Schmidt couched
Him the summer of Jr Pan PACs.
Cam won’t be rested, but based off practice he could very well be significantly under his 50 free best time if he doesn’t end up swimming the 100 fly right before it at finals on Saturday. Also Nowicki plans on swimming, his name just doesn’t show up on the psych sheet but he should still be able to get in.
Why has he been out for the past year?
To drive up more SS hype
you’re the best jim lol
Rumor has it he has been in the gym 184 days straight. Weighs 220+ pounds. Benches 20 reps of 225. There is talk of a 21. 50 LC free in store for him
Best of luck!