On the heels of becoming the fastest 50-yard freshman freestyler in NCAA history after winning the SEC title in a record time of 18.53 seconds last month, Caymanian swimmer Jordan Crooks has done it again, this time in the 100-yard free.
The 19-year-old standout from the University of Tennessee swam a school record time of 41.16 seconds during the 100 free prelims at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.
The time also marked the fastest-ever 100-yard free by any freshman in NCAA history. He moved on to the finals, where he finished fifth overall to earn his second All-American first team honours.
“I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to represent both Cayman and the University of Tennessee,” Crooks told the Cayman Compass.
Earlier in the championships, Crooks competed in the 50 free finals where he finished tied for third with University of Virginia sophomore Matt Brownstead in a time of 18.60 seconds.
Crooks also swam the 100-yard butterfly, the 400-yard medley relay and 400-yard free relay, but failed to make the podium in those three events.
“It has been a great season full of surprises and lessons learned. I’m looking forward for the next one,” Crooks said.
The university’s swimming and diving associate head coach Rich Murphy spoke of Crooks’ “historic freshman year” and his performance at the championships in an article on the University of Tennessee Sports website.
“We are so happy for his continued success and are impressed with how he has handled the brightening spotlight; today further exemplified Jordan’s growth,” Murphy said.
Capping off his record-setting freshman year, Crooks was named ‘Breakout Swimmer of the Year’ by Swimswam Magazine, following the championships in Atlanta, Georgia.
In the write-up on the award, the magazine noted Crooks was “clearly talented”, adding, “But the way he broke through as a freshman at Tennessee is far beyond that… he showed up big in all of his races… in Atlanta.”
Related Videos
