Corey Main is a backstroke specialist from New Zealand. After rising to become one of his nations best backstrokers and gaining success on the international stage, Main opted to move to Florida to swim under coach Gregg Troy at the University of Florida.
In New Zealand Main swam under Jana Korbasova at the Howick Pakuranga Swim Club.
University of Florida
During his four years under Gregg Troy in Gainesville, Main accumulated 16 All-American honors and was placed on the All-SEC team in his final season.
2012-2013
At his first NCAA Championships, Main picked up points for the Gators in the 200 yard backstroke when he finished 13th in 1:41.91. He was also a member of Florida’s 4×100 yard medley relay that finished 7th and the 4×50 yard freestyle relay that finished 8th.
2013-2014
Main started his sophomore NCAA meet off on a high with two relay appearances on the first night. He started out with a fifth place finish in the 4×50 yard freestyle relay after setting a new school record in the prelims. later than evening he lead off on the backstroke leg of the 4×100 yard medley relay that finished runner up to Cal. His third top-8 finish came in the 4×100 yard freestyle relay where Florida came in 7th. Main also swam the 100 and 200 yard backstroke. In the 100 he finished 20th overall in 46.45. In the 200 yard backstroke Main advanced to the ‘B’ final where he finished 8th to pick up a point for Florida. He touched in 1:42.59.
2014-2015
In his junior year, Main helped the Gators to a 7th place finish in the 4×50 yard medley relay as well as the 4×200 yard freestyle relay. He also swam in the 100 yard backstroke finishing 21st, the 200 yard backstroke finishing 22nd and the 50 yard freestyle finishing 25th.
2015-2016
Main opened up his senior NCAA meet with a 4th place finish in the 4×50 yard freestyle relay and a 5th place finish in the 4×100 yard medley relay. Earlier that day he swam the 50 yard freestyle placing 22nd in 19.59. On the final night Main finished 8th in the ‘B’ final of the 200 yard backstroke in 1:41.36 before joining for Florida’s 4×100 yard freestyle relay that finished 3rd.
International Career
Main earned his first international call-up in 2011 and burst on to the scene. At the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games he won the 50, 100 and 200 meter backstroke as well as winning a bronze medal as a member of New Zealand’s 4×200 meter freestyle relay. A year later he made his senior debut at the World Short Course Championships.
2015 World Championships
At his first long course World Championship meet, Main finished 16th in the 200 meter backstroke and as a member of New Zealand’s 4×100 meter medley relay. In the 100 meter backstroke he finished 22nd.
2016 Olympic Games
Main was one of eight New Zealand swimmer’s in Rio. At his first Olympic Games he posted a time of 53.99 in the heats of the 100 meter backstroke to qualify for the semi-finals. In the semi-final Main wasn’t able to better his time and finished 15th over all in 54.29. In the 200 meter backstroke he finished 14th in the semi-final in 1:58.08.
2017 World Championships
In Budapest, Main made it to the 100 meter backstroke final where he finished 8th in 53.87. In the 200 meter backstroke he qualified for the semi-final where he finished 16th in 2:01.00.