Haas Swims to #4 All-Time with 4:08.6 500 Free for NCAA Title

2018 MEN’S NCAA SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Wednesday, March 21 – Saturday, March 24
• Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center – Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Prelims 10 AM / Finals 6 PM (Central Time)
• Defending champion: Texas (3x) (results)
• Psych Sheet
• Championship Central
• Event-by-Event Previews
• Team Power Rankings: Final Edition
• Live Stream
• Live Results

Day 2 finals at the 2018 NCAA Championships set the stage for a showdown between Michigan’s Felix Auboeck and Texas’ Townley Haas. Up front, Haas had the lead, but the field started to close in on him through the back half. It looked like Michigan’s Auboeck had him on the final 50, but Haas fought back on the last 25 to take the win with a lifetime best 4:08.60, clipping his former best and keeping the title with Texas. Auboeck wound up 2nd in 4:09.03, just a tenth shy of his best from last season’s NCAAs. NC State’s Anton Ipsen also broke 4:10, knocking a couple of second from his time in 4:09.13 to become the 8th fastest man ever.

Splits:

• 1st 100 Split- 47.41
• 2nd 100 Split- 50.70
• 3rd 100 Split- 50.91
• 4th 100 Split- 50.75
• 5th 100 Split- 48.83
• Final Time- 4:08.60

Indiana postgrad Zane Grothe set the American Record at 4:07.25 at the 2017 U.S. Winter Nationals in December. The NCAA Record still belongs to Texas’ Clark Smith with his 4:08.42 from the 2017 NCAA meet.

ALL-TIME TOP PERFORMERS: MEN’S 500 YARD FREE

1. 4:07.25- Zane Grothe, Indiana
2. 4:08.42- Clark Smith, Texas
3. 4:08.54- Peter Vanderkaay, Michigan
4. 4:08.60- Townley Haas, Texas
5. 4:08.75- Tom Dolan, Michigan
6. 4:08.92- Jean Basson, Arizona
7. 4:08.95- Felix Auboeck, Michigan
8. 4:09.13- Anton Ipsen, NC State
9. 4:09.32- Michael Klueh, Texas
10. 4:09.48- Sebastian Roualt, Georgia

ALL-TIME TOP PERFORMANCES: MEN’S 500 YARD FREE

1. 4:07.25- Zane Grothe, Indiana
2. 4:08.42- Clark Smith, Texas
3. 4:08.54- Peter Vanderkaay, Michigan
4. (T-4) 4:08.60- Townley Haas, Texas
5. (T-4) 4:08.60- Peter Vanderkaay, Michigan
6. 4:08.75- Tom Dolan, Michigan
7. 4:08.82- Clark Smith, Texas
8. (T-7) 4:08.92- Townley Haas, Texas
9. (T-7) 4:08.92- Jean Basson, Arizona
10. 4:08.95- Felix Auboeck, Michigan