As reported by SwimSwam’s Lauren Neidigh last week:
Indiana was on fire to open night 2 of the 2017 U.S. Winter Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. In the first men’s race of the session, Zane Grothe represented the Hoosiers’ postgrad group by scorching an American and U.S. Open Record in the 500 free. Grothe hit the wall in 4:07.25, taking over a full second off the former mark of 4:08.42 done by Texas’ Clark Smith at the 2017 NCAA Championships.
Former record holder Smith, who still holds the NCAA Record, swam the 500 free earlier today at the Texas Invitational. He led the heats with his 4:14.40, but has scratched out of tonight’s final.
Splits Comparison By 100: Zane Grothe vs. Clark Smith 500 Free
| SWIMMER | 1ST 100 SPLIT | 2ND 100 SPLIT | 3RD 100 SPLIT | 4TH 100 SPLIT | 5TH 100 SPLIT | FINAL TIME |
| Zane Grothe(2017) | 47.58 | 50.49 | 50.32 | 49.68 | 49.18 | 4:07.25 |
| Clark Smith (2017) | 47.34 | 50.13 | 49.97 | 50.86 | 50.12 | 4:08.42 |
Grothe battled closely with fellow U.S. National Teamer Mitch D’Arrigo of Florida through the first 350 yards. Grothe turned on the gas in the final 150, blowing away the field and creating a dominant lead down the final stretch. His final two 100 splits were both sub-50. With a 49.18 to close, Grothe cemented his status as the fastest man of all time in the event.
That was a huge best time for Grothe per the USA Swimming database, which shows his former best as a 4:12.98 from 2015. D’Arrigo wound up a few seconds back for silver in 4:10.78, while Marwan El Kamash brought in another medal for the Hoosiers with his 4:16.10 for bronze.
All-Time Top Performers: Men’s 500 Yard Freestyle
| PLACE | SWIMMER | TIME |
| 1 | Zane Grothe | 4:07.25 |
| 2 | Clark Smith | 4:08.42 |
| 3 | Peter Vanderkaay | 4:08.54 |
| 4 | Tom Dolan | 4:08.75 |
| 4 | Townley Haas | 4:08.92 |
| 6 | Jean Basson | 4:08.92 |
| 7 | Felix Auboeck | 4:08.95 |
| 8 | Michael Klueh | 4:09.32 |
| 9 | Sebastian Rouault | 4:09.48 |
| 10 | Fynn Minuth | 4:09.55 |
lol im in 8th grade and i swim a 5:43 but this shit is crazy!!!!
Am I the only one that wishes they would just use the overhead camera for the entire race instead of switching views 3 times every length?
He has a really strong kick for a distance swimmer.
He needed to thank D’Arrigo more than he did for giving him a race for 350 and really pushing him from 250 to 350. Big key in this race. I’ve always wanted swimming to take the tact of track and field by having rabbits for those trying to break records. This, although not planned, was an example. Another is the 1988 Olympics men’s 200 free when Duncan Armstrong ‘surfed’ off of Matt Biondi
someone has to have a Video of the 1650!! Come on SwimSwam!
That last 150 was blazing. He wanted to go a 4:06 low in the 500 and 4:15 in the 1650. He got very close to his 500 goal. 1650 was off by about 3 seconds but still a great achievement.
Would like to know what his goal for the 1000 yard free is.
Long course?
14:15 his goal for the 1650
Clark said the record was weak, broke it by a little, and suddenly it gets smashed. I have a feeling this won’t be the last time we see this record broken this season, I think Auboeck has a great chance to break it this march. What a great swim from Grothe. I expect to see big things from him at Nats and Pan Pacs this year.
Anybody else notice how awesome those turns sounded with the microphone placement?