2017 SEC SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Tuesday, February 14 – Saturday, February 18
- Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center, Knoxville, TN (Eastern Time Zone)
- Prelims 10AM / Finals 6PM
- Defending Champion: Florida men (4x), Texas A&M women (results)
- Championship Central
- Psych Sheet
- Live results
- Live Video (finals)
Florida’s Caeleb Dressel was a man on a mission when he dove in as the Gators’ 200 medley relay anchor at the 2017 SEC Championships. The Gators sat in 7th place when he entered the pool, but Dressel couldn’t be stopped. He tore through the water to bring the Gators back into the race, clocking a 17.90 split to become just the 2nd man to ever split under 18 seconds. When he touched the wall, the Gators had won it in 1:23.44.
What’s even more incredible to think about is that Dressel ran down a group men who swam 18-mid splits, making a considerably fast time look almost pedestrian. Alabama freshman Zane Waddell (18.59) and Texas A&M senior Cory Bolleter (18.62) also put up very fast splits to help their teams land a spot on the podium.
The only other man to have ever split under 18 seconds is USC’s Vlad Morozov, who swam the 3rd leg of their 200 free relay in 17.86, back at the 2013 NCAA Championships.
Rooney 1:31 in 8 Free Relay!
I think the most important factor to come from this is that we have a number of swimmers that are turning it on at the right time in the season. From Waddell to Bolleter, these relays are going to be lighting fast. Hopefully these guys can hit their taper just right for NCAAs and we can see even more time drop.
For Dressel, a sub 18 flat start swim is just in reach. I can’t wait for the big meet!
He will break 18 flat start before leaving college swimming.
While that’s impressive there’s nothing surprising here. When you swim 18.20 flat-start it means you can swim a relay split around 17.60/17.70.
He’s got an amazing speed and is an amazing short course swimmer.
I will say WOW WOW WOW WOW when he will swim under 18 flat-start. Can he do it this year? It would be crazy to watch. He probably saves the best for the most important meet next month. It would be one the greatest accomplishments in college swimming history. But it requires the perfect race from the start to the finish. Can’t wait to see that.
Don’t forget he is only a Junior. Even if he dosen’t go 17 flat-start this year he has all of his senior year to make history.
I let out a “WHOO!” seeing that headline.
Dat’s fast.
Vlad Morisov 17.89 0n 3rd leg of 2free relay at NCAA champs at iupui
Sometime in the 1970s after the 20 second barrier was broken, USC coach Peter Daland was asked how fast a sprinter could go. His reply was something like, “At the rate the times are dropping, we should see a zero in the mid 2000s.”
VIDEO PLEASE!!!!!!!!!