The first official races of the Big-12 championships in Austin, Texas, don’t begin until Wednesday afternoon, but there were some quick time trials Wednesday morning, most notably from Texas senior Will Licon in the men’s 100 breast.
Licon recorded a time of 51.15, the second-fastest time in the country behind Fabien Schwingenschlogl (51.07). It also breaks Licon’s own school and conference record of 51.81. That old mark was set as a split in Licon’s NCAA and American record-setting performance in the 200 breast at last year’s NCAA championships, when he finished in 1:48.12.
Even though he has won two NCAA titles in the 200 breast, he has never competed in the 100 breast at the end-of-season championships, instead opting for the 400 IM on that day. But in an appearance on Swimming World TV’s Off Deck last week, Licon indicated he did not know which event he and Texas head coach Eddie Reese would opt for this season.
Licon is scheduled to compete in both IMs and in the 200 breast later in the Big-12 meet.
Finishing behind Licon in the time trial Wednesday were Texas teammates Austin Temple (53.76) and Jared Butler (54.40). Other highlights included Texas’ Jonathan Robert posting a quick time of 1:44.49 in the men’s 200 IM and Quinn Carozza of the Longhorns clocking in at 1:54.49 in the women’s 200 back.
Full results can be found here.
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