Karol Ostrowski Nearly Becomes First Non Division I College Swimmer to Break 19 Seconds in 50 Free

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Drury freshman Karol Ostrowski out of Poland broke the NCAA Division II record in the 50 freestyle on Thursday night at Drury’s dual meet with SMU in Dallas. Ostrowski blasted a 19.09 in the 50 free to take down David Lambert’s record of 19.17 from the 2017 Texas Invite. Ostrowski also anchored the 400 medley relay team at 42.73 as the Panthers won at 3:11.25. He also led off the 200 free relay earlier in the night with a 19.4.

Karol Ostrowski competed at the 2017 World Juniors for Poland where he reached the final of the 50 freestyle in placing 8th at 22.97 as he scored a best time of 22.7 in the semi finals. Also at that meet, Ostrowski helped Poland reach the final of the mixed free relay, where he split a 50.1 while he also led off the silver medal winning 4×100 freestyle relay with a 49.8.

His time would have put him tied for eighth in Division I last season with Michigan’s Gus Borges. The 19 second barrier has become commonplace in Division I swimming, but no one outside of Division I has broken the barrier as Ostrowski lowered the Division II record to a 19.0, while the Division III record stands at a 19.37 from Oliver Smith in 2018.

Karol Ostrowski had originally committed to Florida State in the fall of 2017 but is now a Drury Panther as he is well ahead of last season’s Division II winning time of 19.58 from UC San Diego’s Spencer Daily.

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