After the 2014 Men’s NCAA Championship, there were lots of great candidates for HardCore Swim of the Week. Arizona’s Kevin Cordes was his usual unbelievable self in the breaststrokes (and had his 50.04 in the 100 breaststroke been .05 faster, he probably would have won this award).
But we chose Michigan’s Dylan Bosch and his 200 fly U.S. Open Record, because of who’s record he broke.
When Bosch won the 200 fly in 1:39.33, he broke the record co-held by two swimmers that we know match up with the best in the world. The old record of 1:39.65 was co-owned by Tom Shields from 2013, and Michael Phelps from 2010.
Shields showed shortly after breaking that record that he was one of the best short course butterfliers in the world between the World Short Course Championships and the FINA World Cup circuit. Though his long course still wouldn’t put him in ‘legendary’ territory, his short course butterflying makes him one of the best in the world. Michael Phelps is, well, Michael Phelps – the best 200 butterflier in history, and it’s not even close.
At any rate, Bosch’s swim electrified swim fans even back in his native country of South Africa, where he was featured as front-page news. There weren’t many places even in the U.S. where a Phelps-record-breaking swim earned that kind of mainstream attention.
After the disaster that was 2013 for South African swimming, the community there seems to be re-energized and revitalized ahead of next week’s Commonwealth Games/Pan Pac Trials thanks in part to Bosch’s swim.
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Chase Kalisz’s 400 IM was the swim of the week for me. Taking down a record that was already faster than Phelp’s best (by more than a second) was amazing; and to see a sub minute breaststroke split followed by a 50. freestyle was jaw dropping.
Actually I’m surprised that this record lasted so long. All it took was someone to show everyone that it was possible (shield) and now I think more swimmers will break it.
Maybe when phelps come back he could get the record back.
I think what put Bosch’s swim on top was expectations..I expected Chase and Murphy to break those records so it didn’t have the stun factor. I didn’t expect under 140 and then taking down Phelps/Shields’ record, after really a blistering 100 out that fast was a big surprise of the meet for me.
Although I would certainly agree with Bosch’s record breaking swim being awesome, not sure the “who’s was it” is maybe the best criteria here?
Kalisz breaking a suited 400IM, dipping below 3:35 while splitting under 1:00 in the breaststroke has got my vote. A close runner up would have been Ryan Murphy (NAG record and freshman!!!) in the 200BK. Those previous record holders were no slouches either…
The previous record holders were the same person…
Sorry, was Lochte before that. Thanks for adding to the conversation!
That was a great swim, but I’m going with Cordes 50.04. Took down a 100 yard distance AR/US Open by .7 in one day, and the NCAA record by .8. When’s the last time that’s been done?
Watching this swim in person was astonishing! The ferocity and intensity that Dylan maintained throughout the swim was breathtaking. Rarely do you watch a 200 Fly and say to yourself “it looks like he swimming a 100”. He never looked fatigued. Just strong throughout. Everyone else looked like they were moving in slow motion. So many great swims at this meet. This one was right at the top.