Jacob Molacek Breaks National High School Record in 100 Breaststroke in Nebraska

Jacob Molacek was a latecomer to high school swimming, opting to focus on his club training until his junior year.

He’s caught up in a hurry for Creighton Prep, though, as on Friday in prelims at the Nebraska High School State Championship meet he broke the National High School Record in the 100 breaststroke with a 52.92.

That swim breaks both Andrew Seliskar’s overall National High School Record set a week ago at 53.24 in Virginia, and also breaks the National Independent High School Record held by Californian Steven Stumph at 53.39. Seliskar remains the Public High School Record holder.

This swim shows just how dangerous the incredibly versatile Molacek could be for Auburn next year. In becoming the first breaststroker to clear 53 seconds in a high school meet, he’s completed the development of his breaststroke at an unprecedented clip. When he started his senior year, he had been no better than 55.0; when he started his junior year, he was no better than 57.1.

But his versatility is even more unbelievable. He was a 1:45.50 to take the top seed in the boys’ 200 IM, and has also been 19.8 in the 50 free, 49.9 in the 100 back, and 48.6 in the 100 fly. That’s Vlad Morozov-like sprint versatility for him, and he probably stretches into the 200’s better than Vlad.