WASHINGTON, DC, February 13. KNOWN nationally as a backstroker, Jack Conger showed his versatility at the Washington Metro Interscholastic Swimming & Diving Championships Saturday with an independent national high school record in the 500 freestyle.
Conger, a junior representing Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, swam a 4:17.51 to break the former national record of 4:19.32 held by Will Freeman in 2009. The swim is now the third-fastest in high school history, not far off the fabled overall national (and public school) record of 4:16.39 set by Jeff Kostoff in 1983, and Nicholas Caldwell's 4:17.29 from 2010.
1 Conger, Jack JR Good Counsel 4:23.97 4:17.51MAAAU 24
22.57 47.56 (24.99) 1:13.15 (25.59) 1:39.48 (26.33)
2:06.03 (26.55) 2:32.29 (26.26) 2:58.82 (26.53) 3:25.36 (26.54)
3:52.02 (26.66) 4:17.51 (25.49)
Swimming World has learned that Kostoff was in attendance at the meet, and offered Conger his congratulations after the swim.
Conger also put up a quick 19.85 in the 50 freestyle to win that event,and helped Good Counsel win the 200 medley relay with a 20.48 butterfly split. Good Counsel also won the 400 free relay on the strength of a 43.04 anchor leg from Conger.