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Robert Howard: “Coach Saban was in my ear on that last 15” (Video)

2019 MEN’S NCAA SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Reported by Jared Anderson.

200 MEDLEY RELAY – FINALS

  • NCAA Record: Texas (2017) – 1:21.54
  • American Record: Cal (2017) – 1:21.88
  • U.S. Open Record: Texas (2017) – 1:21.54
  • Meet Record: Texas (2017) – 1:21.54
  • 2018 Champion: USC – 1:21.82

Top 8 Finishers:

  1. Alabama – 1:22.26
  2. Cal – 1:22.43
  3. NC State – 1:22.47
  4. Texas – 1:22.58
  5. Louisville – 1:23.23
  6. Tennessee – 1:23.56
  7. Florida State – 1:23.81
  8. USC – 1:23.82

So far, this meet has been a four-team affair, especially in the relays. All three relays over the first two days had some permuation of Cal-Texas-Indiana-NC State in the top 4. But Alabama broke that streak with a resounding 200 medley relay win in a blazing 1:22.26.

‘Bama was outstanding. Zane Waddell staked them to a solid lead with a 20.41 backstroke split, only two tenths off the fastest split in history. Laurent Bams was 23.24 on breast, Knox Auerbach 20.30 fly and Robert Howard surged home with a clutch 18.22 anchor leg to seal the win.

It was a good thing Howard was on, too. Because Cal was soaring near the end, coming from the middle of the pack over the final two legs. Daniel Carr was 20.92 on back and Reece Whitley 23.68 on breast. (Though Whitley is a great breaststroker, his split was 7th of 8 A finalists, and he’s clearly more geared to the 200 at this point than the 50). But Pawel Sendyk blasted a field-best 19.66 on fly and handed off to Ryan Hofferwho is becoming the foremost sprint terror in the NCAA. For the second night in a row, Hoffer blasted a massive anchor leg to lift Cal to second place. Tonight he was a field-best 18.17 as Cal went 1:22.43.

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25BACKSTROKE
5 years ago

Insane how Anthony Grimm is only .6 off the fastest 50 back of all time as a HS sophomore…

marklewis
5 years ago

What was Coach Saban saying in his ear?

Any guesses as to what he would say?

SwimSwamSwum
Reply to  marklewis
5 years ago

They told us the exact same things they tell their players. Get the job done and let the results speak for themselves.

PowerPlay
Reply to  marklewis
5 years ago

He said “Sure glad Clemson doesn’t have swimming – – it’s all yours Bobby”

Coach
5 years ago

Love that the football coach helps other sports at that school.

mcgillrocks
Reply to  Coach
5 years ago

The football coach’s name is Nick Saban with an “a” though. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Saban

Coach M
5 years ago

TEXAS still has the record on LOCKDOWN HOOKEM BABY!!!!!!!!!!

Who
Reply to  Coach M
5 years ago

That’s not the point buddy

Swammer
5 years ago

I wish I had coach Saben in my ear.

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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