Carson Foster Pops NAG Record in 400 I.M.; Third-Fastest Time in History
When Carson Foster announced he would attend the University of Texas, the elite recruit was pegged for high-level success with the Longhorns. Well, his first showstopping performance as a collegiate athlete arrived on Friday night, when the freshman posted the third-fastest time in history in the 400-yard individual medley at the Texas First Chance Invitational.
Registering a time of 3:35.27, Foster prevailed by nearly three seconds over Texas A&M star Shaine Casas. The time has been bettered by only Chase Kalisz, who owns the American record of 3:33.42 and has the No. 2 time at 3:34.50. Foster’s effort easily handed him the National Age Group record in the 17-18 category, as Andrew Seliskar previously owned the standard at 3:37.52.
Set to turn 19 later this month, Foster is a contender to represent Team USA at next summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo in several events. While Foster has talent across several events, the 400 medley might be his best chance to compete individually on the biggest stage in the sport. Foster will also be a factor at the Olympic Trials in the 200 medley and 200 freestyle.
En route to his NAG standard in the 400 I.M., Foster covered the opening fly leg in 49.04, then followed with a split of 53.93 for the backstroke. Foster delivered a 1:00.92 split on the breaststroke leg and came home with a freestyle split of 51.38.
All-Time Rankings Men’s 400 IM:
- 3:33.42, Chase Kalisz, 2017
- 3:35.27, Carson Foster, 2020
- 3:35.29, Abrahm DeVine, 2018
- 3:35.76, Hugo Gonzalez, 2018
- 3:35.82, Josh Prenot, 2016
3:35.2 – Wow…