Nathan Szobota Becomes Fastest 15-Year-Old in 1000 Free with Negative-Split 8:50.44

2023 NCSA SPRING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• March 14-18, 2023
• SCY
• Rosen Aquatic and Fitness Center, Orlando, FL
• Meet Mobile: “2023 NCSA Spring Swimming Championships”
• Psych Sheets
• Live Stream

Nova of Virginia 15-year-old Nathan Szobota negative split his way to a personal-best 8:50.44 in the 1000 free on Tuesday, beating out Sean Green (8:55.64) for the title at the 2023 NCSA Championships. Those two times rank as the fastest ever in the event among 15-year-old boys.

Fastest 15-Year-Olds Ever, 1000-Yard Free

1. Nathan Szobota – 8:50.44 (2023)
2. Sean Green – 8:55.64 (2023)
3. Robert Freeman – 8:57.43 (2016)
4. Matthew Hirschberger – 9:00.05 (2014)
5. Sean Grieshop – 9:02.31 (2014)

MEN’S 1000 FREESTYLE – TIMED FINAL

• Meet Record: 8:45.11 – Matthew Hirschberger (2015)
• 2022 Champion: Levi Sandidge – 8:58.77

Podium:

1. Nathan Szobota (NOVA) – 8:50.44
2. Sean Green (LIAC) – 8:55.64
3. Matthew Marsteiner (WAVE) – 8:57.43

Szobota improved on his previous-best 9:00.53 from earlier this month by more than 10 seconds. Before today, Robert Freeman was the fastest 15-year-old in the event at 8:57.43.

Szobota now ranks third in the boys’ 15-16 national age group (NAG) rankings behind Matthew Hirschberger (8:45.11 from 2015) and Jeff Kostoff (8:49.97 from 1982).

Green dropped nearly eight seconds off his previous-best 9:03.18. 16-year-old Matthew Marsteiner dipped under 9 minutes to round out the top three, hitting an 8:57.43.

Szobota was 4:26.36 at the midway point of the race before coming home in a blazing 4:24.08.

Szobota’s Splits