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Zach Apple Becomes First American Under 19 Seconds In Auburn’s History

2017 MEN’S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

This morning’s prelims of the men’s 50 freestyle at the 2017 NCAA Championships saw an incredible six individual swimmers throw down times beneath the 19-second barrier. Among them was Auburn University’s Zach Apple, who tied NC State’s Ryan Held for the 3rd seed in a personal best time of 18.93.  Not only does Apple’s result represent the sophomore’s first time delving into 18-second territory in his own young career, but it also now checks in as the only 18-point 50 freestyle in Auburn history performed by an American.

With a rich history of holding multiple foreign athletes on its roster at any given time, Auburn’s sprinting greats include Brazilian Cesar Cielo who still holds the top 50 freestyle time in Auburn’s history with the 18.47 registered back in 2008. Beyond him are Matt Targett of Australia and Adam Brown of Great Britain, who notched times of 18.52 and 18.72, respectively to make up the top 3. In fact, the only American athlete on Auburn’s list of top 10 50 freestyle performances ever was #10, Bryan Lundquist, who scored a time of 19.18 back in 2007. Apple’s time now bumped him from the list to keep just one American within the program’s top 10.

Here’s where Apple’s 18.93 from this morning now ranks among Auburn’s men past and present, including Auburn Head Coach Brett Hawke‘s time from 1997.

  1. Cesar Cielo (Brazil), 18.47, 2008
  2. Matt Targett (Australia), 18.52, 2009
  3. Adam Brown (Great Britain), 18.72, 2011
  4. Fred Bousquet (France), 18.74, 2005
  5. Jakob Andjkaer (Denmark), 18.83 2009
  6. Marcel Chierighini (Brazil), 18.84, 2013
  7. Zach Apple (USA), 18.93, 2017
  8. Gideon Louw (South Africa), 19.06, 2009
  9. Peter Holoda (Hungary), 19.13, 2016
  10. Brett Hawke (Australia) 19.16, 1997

 

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Rory Connell
7 years ago

“Ever” though?
You do understand how a top 10 list works right?
Take 2004 list for example:
1. Brett Hawke 19.16 (’97)
2. Fred Bousquet 19.24 (’03)
3. Aaron Ciarla 19.25 (’00)
4. George Bovell 19.33 (’04)
5. Ryan Wochomurka 19.43 (’04)
T6. Matt Busbee 19.51 (’98)
T6. Derek Gibb 19.51 (’03)
8. Greg Busse 19.53 (’00)
9. Dean Hutchinson 19.56 (’94)
10. Brock Newman 19.59 (’99)

That’s 7 Americans

WDE Apple! Congrats!

Reply to  Rory Connell
7 years ago

Huh? None of those are sub-19…

Peter Davis
Reply to  Lauren Neidigh
7 years ago

I believe Rory must be referring to this line:

“In fact, the only American athlete on Auburn’s list of top 10 50 freestyle performances ever was #10, Bryan Lundquist, who scored a time of 19.18 back in 2007.”

There have been many Americans that have “ever,” as in once, at some time in the past, been “on Auburn’s list of top 10 50 freestyle performances.” Rory lists 7 that were indeed on the top 10 list in 2004.

But I’m sure if he were not so busy being the Stangl of syntax he would understand how to read intention and see that what the author was trying to convey is that prior to Apple’s latest time, Lundquist was the… Read more »

AUswimfan
7 years ago

Out of curiosity, I attempted to look up Auburn’s “American Top Ten” for the event and came up with this:
1. Zach Apple 18.93
2. Bryan Lundquist 19.18
3. Kyle Darmody 19.21
4. Aaron Ciarla 19.25
5. Karl Krug 19.27 (I remember him being from California, but he may have swum some as a Canadian)
6. Scott Goodrich 19.29
7. Drew Modrov 19.32
8. Kohlton Norys 19.38
8. Jared White 19.38
10. Ryan Wochomurka 19.40

If I counted right, Auburn is now one of nine schools to have actually produced a sub 19 American college swimmer. Also, with the 8 total sub 19 swimmers, Auburn is 5 ahead of 2nd… Read more »

Reid
Reply to  AUswimfan
7 years ago

Cal has both Nathan Adrian and Seth Stubblefield as sub-19 Americans as well.

AUswimfan
Reply to  Reid
7 years ago

Yes, you are right. Apologies to the Bears.

iLikePsych
Reply to  AUswimfan
7 years ago

Does it count as ‘producing’ a 18-second freestyler when he’s already there before college?

Peter Davis
7 years ago

The modern Kingdom of Denmark was founded by Harathcnut’s son, Gorm the Old, in the early 10th century. He was succeeded, of course, by Harald Bluetooth, who united and officially Christianized the Danes in 965. This story is, as Viking schoolchildren are taught, recorded on one of history’s less interesting artifacts, the Jelling stones. Harald’s son, Sweyn Forkbeard, assumed power in the year 986, and is best known for mounting a series of wars of conquest against England, yet always failing. In 1009, Jakob of Andjkaer became Sweyn’s successor, completing a 50 yard freestyle in a time of :18.83 while employing the most technological weapon available during that period in time, the rubber suit of armor. Jakob gave way to… Read more »

Reid
7 years ago

The Auburn top 10 list is mistaken on Louw’s time; he went 18.99 in the 09 prelims.

Reid
Reply to  Reid
7 years ago
goldmedalgal
7 years ago

This makes me laugh

Old Hilltopper
7 years ago

He was supposed to be a Hilltopper. So sad.

PowerPlay
Reply to  Old Hilltopper
7 years ago

What is a Hilltopper?

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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