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Kieran Smith Breaks Down Monumental 4:06.32 500 Free, 1:29.48 200 Free

In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman Hodges and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

Kieran Smith tied his 500 free American and NCAA Records on the nose tonight at the SEC Championships, clocking 4:06.32 for the second straight year to defend his title.

It didn’t come easy, however, as Georgia’s Jake Magahey took almost four seconds off his best time to become the second-fastest swimmer in history in 4:06.71.

Smith Record Split Comparison

SMITH, 2020 SECS SMITH, 2021 SECS
22.45 22.04
47.28 (24.83) 46.31 (24.27)
1:12.07 (24.79) 1:10.81 (24.50)
1:37.08 (25.01) 1:35.70 (24.89)
2:02.25 (25.17) 2:00.86 (25.16)
2:27.35 (25.10) 2:26.23 (25.37)
2:52.40 (25.05) 2:51.53 (25.30)
3:17.25 (24.85) 3:16.90 (25.37)
3:42.19 (24.94) 3:42.06 (25.16)
4:06.32 (24.13) 4:06.32 (24.26)

Smith said this difference in splitting was by design, reflecting that he needed to be out faster if he wanted to get to that next level. However, Smith is optimistic that there is a good middle ground to be found from his 2 4:06 outings, and he’s confident he can find the right splitting come NCAA’s to reach a new personal best.

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IU Swammer
3 years ago

I’m 30. Will someone break the 4:00 barrier in my lifetime?

Coach Mike 1952
Reply to  IU Swammer
3 years ago

Maybe… Katie Ledecky was asked about breaking 8:00 for her 800, & even she said that would be really really rough. Same here, but hoping nonetheless for both. Why not? To achieve this monumental feat, a swimmer would have to average 48 flat per 100, 1:36 per 200. Kieran made that milestone the first 200 but not after that. That would be a phenomenal effort. Let’s get to 4:03.00 first!

IU Swammer
Reply to  Coach Mike 1952
3 years ago

I mean, he went out in a 200 time that would have gotten him a finals spot in the 200 at NCAAs within the past 20 years. 20 years from now, someone could be going out in 1:32, which puts them well under pace. I know it sounds so insane, but this is an insane sport.

Admin
Reply to  IU Swammer
3 years ago

I’d vote yes.

If the sport ever gets an influx of Lebron James-caliber athletes, and tech continues to develop (in 40 years, it will), I think it happens.

It will take a 7 feet 3 guy
Reply to  Braden Keith
3 years ago

What about the supersuited 1:42 in the 200 free LCM and 2:01 in the Women’s 200 fly ?

Is it possible to swim sub 20 in the 50 free LCM ?

Sprint Guy
Reply to  It will take a 7 feet 3 guy
3 years ago

The 50 free should’ve already been be sub 20. All These sprinters just gotta stop training so many yards….

Tea rex
Reply to  Braden Keith
3 years ago

If you look at how much better Thorpe/Agnel were than any Americans, you’d have to think a peak-form swimmer might have gone 4:03 already

Admin
Reply to  Tea rex
3 years ago

I think that’s probably a reasonable assertion.

I think that at some point in the future, someone will assemble a “pro” meet with swimmers around the world and have them swim yards races for some cash prizes if they break records.

Of course, trainingfor a yards meet versus just showing up and swimming yards aren’t exactly the same. There are stroke counts and stuff where going out cold turkey could become a challenge, plus the short course pool is really short, so turns matter even more than SCM.

Mr Piano
Reply to  IU Swammer
3 years ago

Not even Thorpe could have gone under 4:02 imo

monsterbasher
3 years ago

Love his candidness.

StuartC
3 years ago

Great interview! And kudos for getting him to do an interview right before going to bed.

Camelboar
3 years ago

I think he can go under at NCAA’s. When I see those splits it looks like all he needs is some more rest to hold the pace for the whole 500. Hope he gets under 4:06!

Hswimmer
3 years ago

Podcast mid meet?

Hswimmer
Reply to  Coleman Hodges
3 years ago

I love watching your podcasts, hopefully he will go faster at NCs. I would just be nervous talking about swims mid meet lol

Swimmer2
Reply to  Hswimmer
3 years ago

I think it’s better than post race interviews, just a quick chat after the athlete has had some time to reflect

Hswimmer
Reply to  Swimmer2
3 years ago

Yeah I get it, just a quick turn around though. I’d want to just talk after the meet personally.

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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