While pushing the pace early as part of the 1650-yard freestyle, Texas’ Clark Smith broke the NCAA and American records in the 1000-yard free at the 2015 Texas Hall of Fame Invitational today.
Smith hit the wall in 8:33.93 at the 1000 before finishing 12th overall in 15:41.16 as he cruised the last 650.
That swim broke the American record of 8:36.49 set by Erik Vendt back in January of 2008. It also crushed Texas-Ex Michael McBroom’s NCAA record of 8:43.48 from February 2013 in Austin as well.
As you can see by the splits below, Smith definitely enjoyed the record before picking up his speed down the stretch.
Splits:
48.25, 1:38.99 (50.74), 2:30.55 (51.56), 3:22.35 (51.80), 4:14.44 (52.09), 5:06.69 (52.25), 5:59.04 (52.35), 6:51.04 (52.00), 7:42.86 (51.82), 8:33.93 (51.07), 9:57.81 (1:23.88), 11:07.11 (1:09.30), 12:22.11 (1:15.00), 13:23.44 (1:01.33), 14:18.22 (54.78), 15:14.96 (56.74), 15:41.16 (26.20)
Vendt’s time is one of the oldest American SCY records in the books. Peter Vanderkaay’s 4:08.54 500-yard free from February 2008 is the oldest on the men’s, while Natalie Coughlin’s 49.97 100-yard back still remains for the women from March 2002.
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Woohoo! Clark!
Way! To! Go! Clark!
Quite an incredible swim. Very impressive. Perhaps inspired by Cate Campbell’s split WR last week ;).
Way to go Clark!