Speed on Display In NCAA Men’s 50 Freestyle Is Something To Behold
The speed we’ve already witnessed during the first few weeks of the college season suggests a spectacular campaign awaits, punctuated – of course – by the NCAA Championships in March. It’s only early October, and Leon Marchand, Jordan Crooks and Kate Douglass have wowed the sport with swift performances.
On occasion during the 2022-23 season, Swimming World will perform a checkpoint analysis of a specific event on the way to the NCAA Champs. This periodic series kicks off with a look at the men’s 50-yard freestyle, the event that determines the fastest man in collegiate waters. From last year, the top-five finishers return to their schools, headlined by reigning champion Brooks Curry of LSU. Meanwhile, Canadian Olympian Joshua Liendo is now at the University of Florida, and has the potential to disrupt the sprint-free hierarchy.
Of the top-25 performers of all-time in the 50 freestyle, seven will be in action during this college campaign. It will be a daunting task for anyone to join Caeleb Dressel in the sub-18 club, but based on last year’s results and the returning talent in the event, several 18-low performances could be produced.
Here’s a look at the leading contenders in the 50 freestyle:
Brooks Curry: A key cog for Team USA in international waters as a member of the 400 freestyle relay, the LSU senior claimed the NCAA title last season behind a mark of 18.56. He’s also the defending NCAA champ in the 100 freestyle and has his attention focused on another sprint sweep.
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Bjorn Seeliger: As Cal claimed the NCAA team crown in 2022, Seeliger played a vital role, due to his individual and relay exploits. While he was the runnerup in the 50 freestyle to Curry, Seeliger etched himself as the No. 2 performer in history when he clocked 18.27 on the front of the Golden Bears’ silver-medal 200 freestyle relay.
Jordan Crooks: The Tennessee sophomore will try to back up a dynamite freshman campaign, a season in which he shared third place in the 50 freestyle at NCAAs. Crooks ranks as the No. 6 performer of all-time in the event, thanks to an effort of 18.53, and he’s already been 19-low this season in low-key, dual-meet action.
Matt Brownstead: A University of Virginia junior, Brownstead turned in a best of 18.60 last year, an outing that handed him a tie for third in the 50 freestyle at the NCAA Champs. Historically, he’s tied as the ninth-faster performer in the event.
Nyls Korstanje: The Dutchman might be best known for his skill set in the butterfly events, but Korstanje is undoubtedly special in the sprint-freestyle disciplines, too. A senior at North Carolina State, Korstanje owns a career best of 18.66 in the 50 free and was fifth at the 2022 NCAA Champs.
David Curtiss: Another standout for North Carolina State, Curtiss boasts a career best of 18.74 in the 50 free, a mark which slots him 19th in history. That swim arrived at the ACC Championships and while Curtiss was a consolation finalist at NCAAs, it’s difficult to see him anywhere but in the championship heat as a sophomore.
Adam Chaney: The 22nd-fastest performer in history in the 50 freestyle, junior Adam Chaney rounds out the seven returning top-25 athletes to the college scene. The University of Florida standout clocked his best of 18.75 en route to winning the consolation final at NCAAs. Like Curtiss, though, Chaney figures to be part of the title chase this season.
Joshua Liendo; Photo Courtesy: Scott Grant/Swimming Canada
Joshua Liendo: The Canadian Olympian and World Championships medalist has taken his talent to the University of Florida and will be an immediate factor at the NCAA Championships in the sprint freestyles and 100 butterfly. Liendo will not only challenge for NCAA crowns on an individual basis, his presence will provide the Gators with a significant relay boost.
Notable to Watch: A few other names to watch include Virginia Tech’s Youssef Ramada (18.79) and N.C. State’s Noah Henderson (18.80), both of whom have been well below the 19-second barrier. Meanwhile, Virginia’s Matt King enjoyed a superb summer by winning national titles, and will look to carry his momentum into the college season.