Florida senior sets American record at SEC Swimming and Diving Championship
Florida senior sets American record at SEC Swimming and Diving Championship
Florida senior Julian Smith broke the American record in the 100-yard breaststroke with a 49.51-second finish on Friday, the fifth night of the 2025 SEC Swimming and Diving Championship in Athens, Georgia.
Smith broke Liam Bell of Cal's record from last year's NCAA Championships by two-hundredths of a second, setting the collegiate standard as well. It's also the new high for the SEC and Florida, both of which were already held by Smith (49.98) and it's a new SEC Championship Record, previously held by former Gator Caeleb Dressel (50.03, 2018).
He broke 23 seconds in the first 50 yards, which is atypical for a record-setting swim. Another oddity to consider is that Smith didn't swim in this race during the 2024 Olympic Trials. He participated in the 50-meter freestyle and 100-free. When he came to Florida, Smith's best time in the event was 55.4 seconds.
Smith also helped Florida set the NCAA record in the 400-yard medley relay, swimming the breaststroke leg of the race. Jonny Marshall began the race with a 43.91 in the backstroke, Smith went 48.95 in the second leg, Josh Liendo posted a 42.12-second butterfly and Alexander Painter anchored with a 40.68 freestyle. Florida won the race by more than four seconds (2:55.66) and set a new NCAA, SEC, SEC meet and US Open record.
The women's medley relay team of Bella Sims, Anita Bottazzo, Olivia Peoples and Micayla Cronk also placed first in the race, giving Florida its first title since 2005. The team time of 3:24.78 is an SEC meet record.
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