Shaine Casas Unloads Fourth-Fastest 200-Yard Backstroke in History
Coming off an impressive victory in the 100-yard backstroke on Friday night, Texas A&M’s Shaine Casas was even more dominant on Saturday afternoon, as he became the fourth-fastest man in the history of the 200 backstroke at the Texas First Chance Invitational in Austin. Following up on his 44.40 mark in the 100 back, Casas covered the 200 back in an eye-opening 1:36.54.
The 20-year-old Casas, who has emerged as a bona fide contender for an Olympic berth to next summer’s Games in Tokyo, now trails only Ryan Murphy (1:35.73), John Shebat (1:36.42) and Austin Katz (1:36.45) in the history of the 200-yard backstroke. En route to his personal-best effort, Casas prevailed by seven seconds, and is storming toward a showdown with Katz at the 2021 NCAA Championships. Katz has not competed for the University of Texas this weekend.
Casas was out in 22.18 at the 50-yard mark and hit the midway point of the race in 47.18. He followed with a third 50 split of 24.87 and came home in 24.49. Texas’ Ethan Harder was the runnerup in 1:43.63.
Casas is expected to challenge for a bid to Tokyo in the stacked backstroke events at the U.S. Trials in June of next year. He will battle with the likes of Murphy, Matt Grevers, Jacob Pebley and Katz, among others, between the 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke.
The day was made better by Casas when he closed the meet with a triumph in the 200 individual medley. Touching the wall in 1:40.52, Casas defeated Texas’ Jake Foster (1:43.37) and recorded the 25th-fastest time in history. Casas has three faster times in his career, including a best of 1:39.91.
Wow, Shaine. Keep it going. All the best to him!
Fantastic swimmer and yound man, great memories from TAGS of a long time ago too.
Great swimmer!