Brendan Hansen went 59.98 in the 100 back at the Texas Senior Circuit meet. He's the first man to go under 1:00 in all four strokes. Wow.
Brendan was able to do something I couldn't do at that age: break the 1:00 barrier in the 100 back -- as well as break 1:00 in the 100 fly and 100 ***! I was always so close to the backstroke barrier, but never could get under, and I never got the opportunity to swim it shaved until masters, when I finally broke through.
I have no idea what his backstroke looks like or if he actually likes doing it, but I don't care. Let's welcome Brendan to the exclusive club of breaststrokers who do backstroke.
I wish I had been able to race Brendan. I went that exact same time (shaved, of course) at a meet six weeks ago.
Here's the report from timedfinals: "The Texas Senior Circuit Championships closed tonight in Austin with Longhorn Aquatics’ Neil Walker, Garret Weber-Gale, Tanica Jamison, and Nick Thoman providing great swimming. Twas a swim from a consolation final, however, that allowed World Record Holder Brendan Hansen to come away as the man of the night.
Hansen came into the B Final of the 100 back with the hopes of an entire aquatics complex nestled heavily on his back. One could cut the tension at the pool with a knife as Brendan uncomfortably jumped into the water and put his back to the pool. Not someone to shy away from dramatics, Hansen finished in an amazingly close 59.98 to the delight of the fans. The first man in history to go under 1:00 in all four strokes. Quite an impressive feat indeed. Congratulations Brendan."
I think it's great to see these guys out there swimming events they don't normally do. I noticed Natalie Coughlin swam the 200 *** at the Janet Evans Invitational and went a very solid 2:33.5!
www.usaswimming.org/.../ViewNewsArticle.aspx
I always assumed her *** must be pretty bad and that's why she doesn't swim IM much. Obviously not the case since that time is well under the Olympic Trials cut!
The only swimmer with any real chance of doing this had to be a breaststroker - no one else would really come close in breaststroke. Fantastic job by Hansen, but I actually think it's funny that his backstroke is that "slow". I love when the elite swim off events that they supposedly "suck" at because it reminds of us of how amazing they are.
I think it's great to see these guys out there swimming events they don't normally do. I noticed Natalie Coughlin swam the 200 *** at the Janet Evans Invitational and went a very solid 2:33.5!
www.usaswimming.org/.../ViewNewsArticle.aspx
I always assumed her *** must be pretty bad and that's why she doesn't swim IM much. Obviously not the case since that time is well under the Olympic Trials cut!
Kurt I don't understand how she isn't challenging for the 200IM WR with her prowess in back, fly, and free. She should be right there with Hoff in this event.
Jeff:
I know you are fimilar with David Lundberg. Back in 1988 he was 3rd in the Olympic Trials in the 100 meter ***. Back in 1991/1992 when he was in the 30-34 age group I remember seeing him at the Long Course Nationals in Elizabethtown, KY. I remember David winning events in the 100 Fly at :58.04, the 100 Free at :52.47 and the 100 *** at 1:05.65 for a World Record. He also set a World Record in the 200 IM at 2:09.69 and that is still to this day a USMS Record. He was first in the World Top Ten in all those events except the 100 Free and he was behind Rowdy Gaines time of :51.50 in 1991. The next year he set a World Record in the 100 Back just missing breaking a minute at 1:00.19, so for a time he had World Records in the 100 Back, 100 ***, and 200 IM. The 100 *** World Record lasted for 7 years and I remember Seth Van Neederden breaking it by .01 at 1:05.64 at the 1998 USMS Long Course Nationals in his home pool at the ISHOF in Fort Lauderdale.
I wonder how many USMS swimmers can claim the same thing only in short course yards competition? I bet not all that many. Mr. Commings is one for sure, and it fact did it at short course Nats this year. Lundberg achieved the feat in one meet, too (1998 SC Nats). There are certainly a few others who are or were capable, but I wonder how many have actually done it?
Interesting question, Kirk.
I'm sure there are a few people under the age of 30 that can do it (Erik Scalise, Gary Marshall). Among the "older" guys, I bet Roque Santos could do it.
I wonder how many USMS swimmers can claim the same thing only in short course yards competition? This year Karlyn Pipes-Neilsen broke the USMS record in EVERY SCY event for Women 45-49, with the exception of the 500 free and 400 IM. And she broke the 500 Free record at nationals going out in her 1000, however due to a timing malfunction the time did not count. I’m not sure why she didn’t get the 400 IM. I’m sure she will rectify this in LCM.
I have no idea what his backstroke looks like or if he actually likes doing it, but I don't care. Let's welcome Brendan to the exclusive club of breaststrokers who do backstroke.
Here you go...www.youtube.com/watch
(Not the same meet...but you can see how he swims it.)
Here you go...www.youtube.com/watch
(Not the same meet...but you can see how he swims it.)
Thanks for the youtube vid! Hansen is awesome! It is great to know, however, that even the most elite can jam their turns (#1) and slow down going into a turn.
Heather: I don't think Natalie likes to swim anything over a 100 in a big meet anymore.
Karlyn is amazing, Rob! She probably just didn't have time to get a 400 IM in.