LSU’s Brooks Curry continues to pick up speed.
The Olympic sprinter threw down an 18.94 swim to win the 50 freestyle on Wednesday on Day 1 of the Art Adamson Invitational at Texas A&M.
Curry was out in 9.20 seconds the first 25, then back home in 9.74 to finish in under 19 seconds, the first sub-19 in the NCAA this season. In prelims, Curry went 19.12, which was already the fastest time of the season by anyone, until he blew past that in finals. Curry has a lifetime-best mark of 18.56, which ranks him tied for seventh all-time in the event, and he was the NCAA champion in the event last year along with the 100 free.
USC’s Artem Selin took second in 19.50, a strong swim, but not to the level of Curry. Texas A&M’s Kraig Bray finished third (19.71), followed by TCU’s Raphael Paiva Da (19.72) and Texas A&M’s Ethan Gogulski (19.75).
Curry had a quick relay split in the 200 free relay, throwing down an 18.38 from the second position. He was out in 8.56 and back in 9.82.
LSU’s team of Pawel Uryniuk, Curry, Andrew Garon and Noah Cumby took second in 1:17.95.
Curry has put together a strong season. The U.S. Olympian in 2021, now one of the premier sprinters in the U.S. and a senior at LSU, was a triple winner in his last dual meet of the first half of the season, claiming first places in the 200 free (1:35.41), 50 free (19.60) and 100 free (43.56).
Curry also took a side trip to the FINA World Cup in Toronto and had a strong showing in short-course meters. Although he is best known for his prowess in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle, Curry surprised the field in the 200 free when he snared victory in a tight finish with Trenton Julian. Curry touched the wall in 1:42.32 and was fueled by a closing 50 meters of 26.39. He took bronze in the 100 free in 46.32.
