We expect this American Record to go down again tonight, but on only his second swim of the 2013 Men’s NCAA Championships, Arizona 19-year old sophomore Kevin Cordes has broken the American Record in the 100 breaststroke with a 50.93.
The old record belonged to him at 51.10 from earlier in this meet; the U.S. Open and NCAA Records still belong to former Cal Bear Damir Dugonjic at 50.86 from 2009.
This swim follows a 49.56 relay split on Thursday with just an average relay start that implies the potential of approaching the 50.0 barrier on a flat-start tonight. Working to his advantage is how much rest the Wildcats have been able to give them, thanks in large part to their depth.
Cordes only swims the breaststroke races individually, so he had no day 1 prelims race. Carl Mickelson, meanwhile, is also one of the best sprint breaststrokers in the country, and has thus taken prelims duty on both medley relays. That means that going into the final of this 100 breaststroke, Cordes will have only taken two swims in two days – hardly a fatiguing effort for a swimmer at this level.
Considering he was 3rd at Olympic Trials as an 18 year old in the 100 meter breast, and at least one of those that beat him has retired, i think its silly to say he can’t be top 2 in the breaststroke.
He must’ve stolen Psychodad’s girlfriend…
I just did the conversion. A 50.93 converts to a 58.53 long course. I expect he can easily make the team.Go Arizona!!!!
I’m a little skeptical of the yards to long course meters conversion calculator, but I think he can definitely improve on his long course PB and break a minute.
Considering how much the underwater and turns counts on SCY and SCM this conversion tables are losing much of their value..
big LOL at people who still use SCY-LCM conversion tables.
They are almost like two different sports.
This cannot go without my comment… so here it is…
His kick and his pull out were very impressive this morning. His stroke drives me crazy. I expect there will always be 2 swimmers better than him in 100m trials. On 200m he has no chance.
Why the hate? Does he have a traditional stroke? No. Does it work for him? Hell yes it does. Who are you to say that he won’t have international success?
Rebecca Soni?
Rebecca Soni what? When did she win 100 m breast that mattered? She wins 200m on her competitiveness not stroke, unless she chokes like she did in Rome. She is a special person/competitor – don;t confuse that with a great breaststroker.
hmmm…3rd at trials as an 18 year old in the 100m with a mid 1.00 and he has only been getting better every race he swims…you are wack if you think this kid isn’t going to be fast this summer and beyond…I estimate low 59…furthermore, take his 200 yard time and you will see he holds his stroke together over the entire race and I think that translates nicely to a solid 100m swim
We can always count on psychodad to live up to his name.
Well hello there! I see you still aren’t swayed by facts. I hope you still advocate for him to switch to freestyle now, as I enjoy humor in my life.
I see cordes going sub 59 this summer if his success translates to long course. 50 mid tonight?
i am the expert around here
I know this is short course, but could he be America’s answer in the breaststroke come this summer? He’s really exciting to watch and so unusual for a breaststroker with his tall and lean frame.