Men's NCAA Champs: 500 Freestyle

500 FREESTYLE

NCAA Record: 4:08.60 (Peter Vanderkaay - Michigan, 2006) 4:08.42 (Clark Smith - Texas, 2017)
Meet Record: 4:08.60 (Peter Vanderkaay - Michigan, 2006)​ 4:08.42 (Clark Smith - Texas, 2017)
American Record: 4:08.54 (Peter Vanderkaay, 2008)​ 4:08.42 (Clark Smith - Texas, 2017)
US Open Record: 4:08.54 (Peter Vanderkaay, 2008)​ 4:08.42 (Clark Smith - Texas, 2017)

CLARK SMITH! The Texas senior just scorched the record books, wiping ​Peter Vanderkaay's ​name off the board completely with a blazing fast 4:08.42. Smith jumped on pace around the 250 mark, flipping to the feet in 2:02.43 and sat there pretty consistently to get home for the win and record. His Longhorn teammate, and defending NCAA champion in this event, ​Townley Haas ​grabbed the silver with a blistering 4:08.92 out of lane two thanks to his 23.73 last 50 split. Huge momentum swing for Texas going one-two in this event after taking the win in the 200 freestyle relay as well. ​Felix Auboeck​ of Michigan touched for the bronze in 4:08.95. ​Three guys under 4:09? That is pretty absurd, but a strong testament to progression of the sport.​

1.) Clark Smith (Texas): 4:08.42 (NCAA, Meet, American, US Open Record)
2.) Townley Haas (Texas): 4:08.92  
3.) Felix Auboeck (Michigan): 4:08.95 
4.) Grant Shoults (Stanford): 4:10.23 
5.) Fynn Minuth (South Carolina): 4:10.57  
6.) Akaram Mahmoud (South Carolina): 4:10.87 
7.) Marwan El Kamash (Indiana): 4:10.87 
8.) Anton Ipsen (NC State): 4:11.73