2017 MEN’S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

Texas may have lost its US Open Record in the 800 free relay last night, but the Longhorns showed they have plenty of fight left in this morning’s prelims, and this evening they ripped a new US Open record in the 400 medley relay.

The team of John Shebat, Will Licon, Joe Schooling, and Jack Conger combined for a time of 2:59.22, almost a second a half faster than their 3:00.68 which had stood as the US Open and NCAA Records.

Comparative Splits:

2016 2017 Shebat 45.36 44.58 Licon 50.69 49.75 Schooling 43.34 43.60 Conger 41.29 41.29 3:00.68 2:59.22

Whereas the past two years the Longhorns found themselves having to come from behind to overcome Cal’s devastating back-breast combo, this year Texas’s front half may have been more impressive.

Backstroker John Shebat threw down a 44.58, staying within a few tenths of Cal’s Ryan Murphy, the fastest man ever in the event, and then Will Licon followed with a 49.75 breast split. Shebat now ranks 4th all-time in the 100 back, and we believe that Licon is just the second man ever to break 50, the other being Kevin Cordes.

On the ‘Horns’ backhalf, Joe Schooling was a little off his split from last year, “only” going 43.60, while Jack Conger anchored in the exact same 41.29 as last year.