Carson Foster Swims 4:09.43 in Suited Time Trial at Texas Practice
While many of the top college swim teams in the country are racing their midseason focus meets this weekend, the Texas men are among the top teams waiting until after Thanksgiving for to travel to the Minnesota Invitational. But star junior Carson Foster got in on the trend of fast times Friday afternoon as he suited up to race a 500-yard freestyle time trial at the Longhorns’ practice.
The race was unofficial, so the time will not count, but touchpads recorded Foster’s time at 4:09.43. The swim was four tenths faster than NCAA-title-favorite Jake Magahey of Georgia recorded at the Bulldogs’ home invitational Thursday evening. Magahey is the only swimmer to break 4:10 in an official race so far this season.
Throughout his blossoming career, Foster has been best known for his results in individual medley races, and he showed off those skills on the global level over the summer with World Championships silver medals in the 400-meter IM and 200-meter IM. In July, Foster recorded a handful of quick swims in some off-events, including a 1:53.67 in the 200-meter butterfly and a 3:45.29 in the 400-meter free.
Now, however, it is certainly possible that Foster could put more focus on the mid-distance races. He has been a staple of Texas’ 800 free relay, and he helped the United States win gold in the long course version of that relay at the World Championships, but Foster will have to at least consider subbing in the 500 free for the 200 IM on the first full day of the NCAA Championships this season.
With Matt Sates and Kieran Smith both gone from college swimming, the top competition in the 500 free would include Magahey and Foster’s Texas teammate Luke Hobson, while the 200 IM is a loaded event led by Leon Marchand and Destin Lasco. Foster’s improvement in the 20-lap event will force Foster and Texas coaches Eddie Reese and Wyatt Collins to decide between a pair of strong events held back-to-back on the championship program.
The Bull
what is a suited time trial????…….dont you always wear a suit???