Reported by Mitch Bowmile.
MEN’S 400M FREESTYLE
Top seed: Zane Grothe (3:47.03)
World record: 3:40.07 – Paul Biedermann (Germany)
American record: 3:42.78 – Larsen Jensen
U.S Open record: 3:43.53 – Larsen Jensen
U.S Nationals record: 3:43.53 – Larsen Jensen
JR World record: 3:44.60 – Mack Horton (Australia)
2012 Winning Time: 3:47.67 – Peter Vanderkaay
Clark Smith was out like a rocket right from the get-go in this race with only one plan in mind: to hold on. Up until the 300-meter mark he looked amazing, ahead of world record pace and fighting to keep his position as they approached the wall.
Dwyer made his move and turned first at the 300 with Smith holding on to second and Connor Jaeger advancing to third.
Top seed from prelims Zane Grothe turned in fifth behind Townley Haas as they all turned on the jets for the last 100.
At 350 it was Dwyer-Jaeger with Smith fading to third. With a 28.05 last 50, Jaeger pulled out ahead of Dwyer to clock in at 3:43.79 ahead of Dwyer’s 3:44.66.
Haas improved his placing to touch in for third in 3:45.04 with Grothe behind him in 3:45.60. Clark Smith faded hard on the final 50 and was forced to settle for fifth in 3:45.74.
- Connor Jaeger 3:43.79
- Conor Dwyer 3:44.66
- Townley Haas 3:45.04
- Zane Grothe 3:45.60
- Clark smith 3:45.74
- True Sweetser 3:50.71
- Grant Shoults 3:51.25
- Michael McBroom 3:52.60
For official results click here.
The “World Record Pace” for this event is deceiving. Biedemann closed with an incredible 52.9 for the last 100. Nobody today, in a pretty talented field at a very high stakes event, went under 56. In fact, Haas & Jager were the only two under 57. I suspect when this record finally falls, the person who does it will be well ahead of “pace” at the 300, yet barely squeak out a new record at the end.
The current record is only 0.01 second off textile. It can even fall this year, Yang has gone 3:40 a couple of times. The way Biedermann swam it was super enhanced by the suit (he was only 3:44 textile). The best way to swim 3:40.0 is the way Thorpe did it, in a very balanced 1:49.57 and 1:50.51
I think Clark Smith is so close to figuring out how to pace his perfect race. His stroke is so pretty. I hope he swims after college.
Oh no… Townley nooo…
ah there’s still hope in 200m free.
for Clark Smith… Faded in the last 50m and still got 3:45.74.
Wow… 3:45.74 is still a very good time.
Btw the old face still reign. The new face will have to wait til 2020.
Amazing last 100. The 200 is going to be nuts with all those great 400 swims. Does anyone else think Jaeger looks a little like Dave Grohl from Foo Foghters?
Love this guy, so laid back in the interviews & always gives a shout out to Michigan where he trains!!
really fun race to watch, too! congrats to the con(n)ors. even more excited to see dwyer’s 200 and jaeger’s 1500 now.
A true champion, loving the pain that comes along with success