Flash! Arizona’s Simon Burnett Shatters Matt Biondi’s US Open/NCAA Record in the 200 Yard Freestyle; Brit Clocks 1:32.22

AUSTIN, Texas, December 3. UNIVERSITY of Arizona junior Simon Burnett, a member of Great Britain's 2004 Olympic team, shattered the 17-year old U.S. Open and NCAA record in the 200 yard freestyle held by Matt Biondi at 1:33.03.

Burnett, who won this event at the 2003 NCAAs, split :21.29, :23.40(:44.69), :23.79 (1:08.48) and :23.74 on the way to his record time of 1:32.22, to finish NINTH. Tough meet.

After swimming wonderfully on Thursday night with a personal best in the 50 free by a big chunk at 19.28, Burnett seemed to be a bit off his feed on Friday morning. He swam 53.13 in the 100 back off a 49.23 seed and then 1:37.88 in his 200 free specialty (seeded 1:34.19) to qualify ninth.

What came next, however, moved Burnett to the highest ranks of consolation heat winners, along with Germany’s Thomas Fahrner, who won the “B” final in the 400 free at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics with a faster time than the gold-medal performance by another University of Arizona all-time great, George DiCarlo (USA). Burnett crushed a legendary 17 year-old record by nearly a second to win the consolation heat…in a fall season collegiate invitational meet. Like I said, tough meet.

Texas sports information staffer Tim Clark was on the spot to get reactions both from Burnett and UofA coach Frank Busch:

Busch:

"To beat a record that has been on the books since 1987 is pretty impressive. To be honest, I was shocked. I knew he was going to swim fast, but not nearly as fast as he did. Simon is a great kid and I am happy for him."

Burnett:
"Obviously, I am on top of the moon right now. I knew I was fast – I had swum an amazing 50 freestyle yesterday (19.28), which was my best time by far. But, hey, it was one of the oldest records in the books and it's about time it gets written off. Coach Busch has worked us very hard and I knew I was in great shape coming into this meet."

Burnett placed seventh in the 200-meter freestyle at the 2004 Athens Games this past summer.

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