Kevin Cordes Gives the World Record a Scare in 200 Breast at Nationals
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In one of the most anticipated races of the night at Nationals, Kevin Cordes gave the world record a legit scare on Wednesday night in the IU Natatorium with a 2:07.41 to sit third in the world rankings behind the Japanese duo of Ippei Watanabe (2:06.67) and Yasuhiro Koseki (2:07.18).
Cordes led the race from start to finish and was under WR pace at 150 meters, something we have seen from him in the past. He showed a little bit more emotion with the win tonight, so he had to have felt the pressure from the swimming community saying he “couldn’t get it done.” He makes his third World Championship team and will look to upgrade his silver from 2015.
Cordes will be joined in Budapest by Georgia’s Nic Fink, who had a disappointing trials last summer. Fink makes his third World Championships with a 2:08.63 for second. Fink held off a close finish for second ahead of Cal’s Josh Prenot (2:08.72), Texas’ Andrew Wilson (2:08.82) and Will Licon (2:09.68).
Jonathan Tybur (2:10.94), Daniel Roy (2:12.23) and Jacob Montague (2:12.73) also swam in the A-final.