2019 MEL ZAJAC JR. INTERNATIONAL MEET
- May 24-26, 2019
- Vancouver, Canada (University of British Columbia)
- LCM (50m)
- Meet website
- Estimated timeline
- Psych sheet
- Live Stream
- Live Results
Reported by Eamonn Keenan.
After having earned four personal bests thus far at the 2019 Mel Zajac Jr. International Meet, DART Swimming’s Luca Urlando has done it again: earning yet another lifetime best of 1:54.35. That time shatters the 17-year-old’s previous best time of 1:55.21, which was achieved at the 2018 Phillips 66 National Championships, by almost a full second.
Not only did he obliterate the meet record of 1:58.12, which was established by the University of Calgary’s Adam Sioui in 2008, but that time is also the third fastest time in the world this year, and the fastest American in the event since Michael Phelps at the Rio Olympics. His 1:55.76 from the 2019 Speedo Sectionals – College Station meet rendered him currently ranked sixth, which made him the fastest American in the world this year. As of right now, the second fastest American in the world is Caeleb Dressel, who out of nowhere posted a 1:56.29 at the 2019 Atlanta Classic.
With the times he’s been throwing down combined with a rapid rate of improvement, Urlando has established himself as a primary contender for a 2020 Olympic bid, particularly in the 200 fly. If he had swam that exact time, Urlando would have won this event at the 2016 US Olympic Trials, beating out both Michael Phelps‘s 1:54.84 for first, as well as Tom Shields‘s 1:55.81 for second.
His trajectory is impressive
Chris H-W … best announcer !
Remember when he was originally on the Worlds roster then got taken off? Shoutout to USA Swimming for that.
My guess is that whoever has best last 50 wins next summer! Luca, Milak and Chad all have some speed that they ‘can’ go out at a good pace and all can be at the 150 mark but who has another gear the last 50!
Dressel has another gear for that last 50….
funny thing is : the junior world champs this summer are taking place in Budapest …..Milak’s country . How synchronistic is that ?
Finally , that famous Magical 200 fly
Man, he sure made that look easy. What are his stats? Height etc. What a talent he is and he’s got one more year in high school. Sheesh!
NCAA champs in two years is about to be lit AF, Luca, Foster, super senior saiyan FARRIS, my oh my. What a time to be alive
Random question: Is your username from the Red Rising series?
Farris would have graduated when Foster and Urlando are college freshmen.
He would have – except for the redshirt he’s taking next season.