Luke Hobson After American Record: ‘I Think There’s More out There’

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Luke Hobson After American Record: ‘I Think There’s More out There’

Luke Hobson has been chasing the 200 freestyle NCAA record for his entire collegiate career. He held it for all of about 15 minutes Wednesday night.

His takeaway from that? Fuel.

Hobson started a wild opening night of the 2024 NCAA Championships by going 1:29.13 to clip .02 seconds off the 2019 NCAA and American record of Dean Farris in the 200 freestyle. The Texas junior will go home with the American mark, but his NCAA mark was dashed two heats later when Leon Marchand led off Arizona State’s 800 free relay in 1:28.97.

It only adds to Hobson’s desire for the rest of the meet.

“I saw him take it and honestly for me, it’s more motivation,” Hobson said. “On Friday, I get to do another one and hopefully get under 29. I’m happy with today, but I think there’s more out there.”

The splits are interesting. For one, Hobson was out quick – 42.11, faster than Farris, faster than Marchand and only a little bit off the 41.99 that is his best 100 free time. The mid-distance swimmers certainly has it left in the back half, and that’ll be the balance he’s trying to strike in the individual 200.

The splits:

Farris: 20.56 – 22.33 – 22.54 – 23.72 – 1:29.15
Hobson: 20.28 – 21.83 – 22.86 – 24.16 – 1:29.13
Marchand: 20.36 – 22.23 – 22.75 – 23.63 – 1:28.97

Getting Farris’ American record is not something Marchand’s swim could dim.

“It’s amazing. I’ve been looking at that time for ever since it happened,” Hobson said, of a swim that occurred in Austin. “I remember watching it go down. Something I always wanted, so I’m super happy to get that.”

Hobson is the eighth seed in the 200 free on Friday, entering with a seed time of 1:31.88. Make no mistake that he’s a medal contender if not the outright favorite. (Marchand is not swimming the individual event.) He won the event last year in 1:30.43. That was slower than his time in the 800 free relay, a flat start 1:29.63 that until Wednesday was his personal best.

That trend held this year, with the Longhorn relay onus getting him going.

“I think just first race, we’re all fresh, ready to go,” Hobson said. “And I like getting up for the Texas boys. We all work so hard together all year, and it’s just fun to show off for them and get them the lead. Kinda bummed to see us not win this relay this year, but I’m super proud of those guys and happy with the result.”

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