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Clark Smith Smashes American Record to Win NCAA 1650 Free in 14:22.41

2017 MEN’S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

Swimming fans in in Indianapolis, Indiana witnessed the fastest heat of 1650 freestylers in history on the final night the 2017 Men’s NCAA Championships in the IUPUI Natatorium. In what Sam Kendricks described as “the greatest race he’s ever witnessed,” 4 men battled stroke-for-stroke through the final portion of the race. Texas’ Clark Smith made his way to the wall ahead of Michigan’s Felix Auboeck, South Carolina’s Akaram Mahmoud, and Northwestern’s Jordan Wilimovsky, as they became the 4 fastest 1650 freestylers in history.

With that, Smith took down the former American Record of 14:23.52 set by Connor Jaeger and the former NCAA Record of 14:24.08 set by Martin Grodzki.

Splits Comparison:

Jaeger 2014 Smith 2017
50 24.28 23.94 50
100 26.34 25.84 100
150 26.31 25.98 150
200 26.64 26.32 200
250 26.66 26.43 250
300 26.52 26.45 300
350 26.07 26.32 350
400 26.07 26.50 400
450 26.26 26.49 450
500 26.07 26.52 500
550 26.28 26.50 550
600 26.36 26.57 600
650 26.31 26.33 650
700 26.21 26.37 700
750 26.38 26.36 750
800 26.41 26.50 800
850 26.41 26.49 850
900 26.46 26.43 900
950 26.28 26.42 950
1000 26.61 26.29 1000
1050 26.45 26.14 1050
1100 26.41 26.49 1100
1150 26.59 26.44 1150
1200 26.40 26.27 1200
1250 26.39 26.34 1250
1300 26.35 26.66 1300
1350 26.15 26.52 1350
1400 26.21 26.02 1400
1450 26.01 25.83 1450
1500 25.96 25.82 1500
1550 25.91 25.63 1550
1600 25.63 25.45 1600
1650 24.12 23.75 1650

All-Time Top 10 Performers: Men’s 1650 Free

Place Swimmer Time
1 Clark Smith 14:22.41
2 Felix Auboeck 14:22.88
3 Akaram Mahmoud 14:22.99
4 Jordan Wilimovsky 14:23.45
5 Connor Jaeger 14:23.52
6 Martin Grodzski 14:24.08
7 Chad La Tourette 14:24.35
8 Chris Thompson 14:26.62
9 Larsen Jensen 14:26.70
10 Sebastien Rouault 14:26.86

All-Time Top 10 Performances: Men’s 1650 Free

Place Swimmer Time
1 Clark Smith 14:22.41
2 Felix Auboeck 14:22.88
3 Akaram Mahmoud 14:22.99
4 Jordan Wilimovsky 14:23.45
5 Connor Jaeger 14:23.52
6 Martin Grodzski 14:24.08
7 Chad La Tourette 14:24.35
8 Chris Thompson 14:26.62
9 Larsen Jensen 14:26.70
10 Sebastien Rouault 14:26.86

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DMacNCheez
7 years ago

For those asking, here is the full race in all its glory on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZEaFxgPQUM

Dman
7 years ago

Still can’t believe how great this race was. Best D race of all time for sure, maybe even the best overall swimming race of all time.

KSchwim
7 years ago

Race video?!?!

Heath
Reply to  KSchwim
7 years ago

Video???

Friederang Steve
7 years ago

I hope to see a video of this race. Congratulations gentlemen! You can see the lack of a closing kick from Clark in the final 100 which is more proof of what a stud he is swimming this race with a groin pull. It also shows you what the Austrian, Felix Auboeck has as potential in the future as he kicked just a little late but outsplit Smith in the final 100. Crazy good race.

Grrr
7 years ago

A lot was made of Shoults and Rooney coming into the season. Aubeck is freshman of the year hands down.

Dman
Reply to  Grrr
7 years ago

Imagine swimming a 14:35 and getting 8th place.

GARYP
Reply to  Dman
7 years ago

No kidding. That’s a “maybe I should take up open water swimming” moment if there ever was one.

Dman
7 years ago

Clark Smith was so spent from the race he had a teammate accept the award as “Clark Smith” lol.

Zanna
Reply to  Dman
7 years ago

He injured his groin

Dman
7 years ago

Best distance race in history, right there. No words.

JP input is too short
7 years ago

Wow. What a race that must have been to watch. I loved watching miles at championship meets just to see the strategy and the guts.

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Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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