OMAHA, Nebraska, July 4. BEN Hesen pulled a surprise American record during time trials at the U.S. Olympic Trials today with a 50 back American record as part of a 100 back swim.
Hesen, who checked in with a time of 1:04.79 during the 100 back swim, split a 24.71 to break Randall Bal's American record of 24.84 set in 2007 at the Paris Open.
"I knew I could do it, so I decided to just go out there and try it for fun," Hesen told Swimming World. "After my 100, I knew I had the speed in me to go after it. I still think I can get after the world record, and might try that for fun as well."
The time is the second best of the year behind Liam Tancock's 24.47 world record from April.
Andrew Godbe (59.06) and Tom Recko (59.07) were the other two swimmers in the race.
