Video by Garrett McCaffrey.
Kevin Cordes breaks the NCAA Record, American Record and U.S. Open Record in the 200 yard breaststroke at the 2013 Men’s NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.
Wow. Just wow.
His time, a 1:48.68, converts to 2:04.63 in meters!
The world record in the 200 meters breaststroke is a 2:07.01, owned by Akihiro Yamaguchi, set September 15, 2012.
Welcome to the swimming wonderland, the new world beyond the 2012 Olympics, when rising talent teases us with greatness to come.
The audience thundered when Cordes dropped that time, and everyone expected it to be mind-blowing after his prelim hyper-speed…which appeared effortless. Considering his distance per stroke, Cordes may well be a better meters breaststoker. Until we see him cut his teeth on meters this spring and summer (at U.S. World Championship Trials), congrats to the man who wowed us all tonight and won CSCAA Swimmer of the Year.
Kevin Cordes’ Grandmother (in the stands tonight) showing her support!
Follow Kevin Cordes on Twitter here, and give him a big congratulations on an exceptional swim.
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This video was captured by swimswam contributor Garrett McCaffrey.
I remember someone commenting here back in December (after Cordes’ record setting 200 breast swim) that Kevin had no more room for improvement. So, anyway, cue the Nelson Muntz “Ha ha!” Anyone remember who that commenter was? I searched, but couldn’t find it. If anyone wants to fess up I think they owe Kevin Cordes a mea culpa.
Who asked the question at 1:50 mark of video saying his swims last summer were “disappointing?” He was the fastest American 18 year old EVER in both the 100 and 200 Breast LCM. He has continued to improve this year, and I am optimistic and excited to see that in the summer season.
Ok, tired with this debate so goodbye and again, congrats to Kevin Cordes!
As a quick side note for the “straight conversion” haters. The conversion factor was created for swimming. It is not a “straight conversion” from yards to meters. The same arguments can be made the other direction. As an example, Phelps’ 100 fly shirt course converts to 43.6. Anywho, amazing swims by Cordes.
100 split of 52.19 was A-Final material for the 100 yd event – wow
Yes. He would have finished 6th in the 100 breast final with his 52.19 split!
There’s no need to downplay Cordes’s swim just because it was short course yards. Let’s just appreciate the swim and commend him on that. Cordes will get his shot this summer so until then, let’s hold back our judgement on this young man. and yes, if you haven’t noticed already , Americans do take this format seriously. it’s just tradition.
Who downplays his swim? In any case, it’s not me. When you break an American record by more than 2 seconds, you’re very special. I repeat it’s a phenomenal swim.
By more than 2 seconds in 2 races, prelims and final. 1.50.73 before Indianapolis and 1.48.68 after Indianapolis.
No one is downplaying him..but the thing is that is ABSURD to say that is equal a 2:04 on LCM… such comparison has no base at all…
AFAIK, no one downplays Cordes’ great achievement. The reactions have only been to counter the 1:48 SCY = 2:04 LCM
and the nonsensical NCAA wins >>>>>> Olympics golds
Now all eyes on long course!
Wow! I didn’t want trigger a debate like that!
JP said : “Love how all the international guys here dismiss anything done in yards.” Ok, where do I criticize the performance? If you correctly write me, I criticize the crazy conversion to LCM times. About Kevin Cordes performance I write : “Congrats Mr Cordes! It’s a phenomenal swim.” His SCY time converts to a world record in SCM. It’s fantastic! And I can’t wait to see what he can do in long course next summer.
I didn’t want to trigger a debate like that! But who does seriously believe Kevin Cordes will swim 2.04 this summer? The world record is 2.07.01. His PB in long course from last summer is 2.10.92. We can seriously expect a 2.08 from him next summer. It would already be a very good performance.