Caymanian swimmer Jordan Crooks blazed through the pool on Wednesday, 21 Feb., going sub-18 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle to win his third consecutive SEC Swimming and Diving Championships title.
This is the first time that a swimmer in the SEC has won three straight 50 free gold medals in the event, since Cesar Cielo accomplished that feat in 2006-08.
Crooks, a junior at the University of Tennessee, touched the wall in 17.99 for a new pool record, marking the second time that Crooks has gone under 18 seconds.
Only Crooks and Caeleb Dressel has gone sub-18 for that event.
His historic performance followed a strong finish earlier in the day, in the 200 free relay, with Crooks leading off with a lightning-fast split time of 18.06, helping propel teammates (Gui Caribe, Micah Chambers and Flynn Crisci) to a silver medal in 1:14.81.
All-Time Top Performances, Men’s 50-Yard Freestyle
Caeleb Dressel: 17.63
Caeleb Dressel: 17.81
Jordan Crooks: 17.93
Jordan Crooks: 17.99
Caeleb Dressel: 18.11
Their performance marked the third-consecutive year that the Tennessee men have earned a medal in this event.
Crooks began his 2024 SEC campaign on 20 Feb. in the 200-yard medley relay, where he earned his first of two silver medals.
Crooks will also contest the 100 free on Saturday, 24 Feb., at the championships which are being held at the James E. Martin Aquatics Center in Auburn University.
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