Clark Smith’s 2000 Free Highlights Texas-Arizona Exhibition Meet

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Photo Courtesy: Andy Ringgold / Aringo Photos

The Texas Longhorns hosted the Arizona Wildcats for a two-day dual meet this weekend at the Lee and Joe Jamail Swim Center. The No. 1 Longhorn women won every traditional event contested Friday and came out on top 164-128, and the two-time defending NCAA champion Texas men won by a score of 162-121.

In the women’s meet, Texas’ Madisyn Cox won the 200 free (1:45.93), 500 free (4:44.78) and 200 IM (1:56.64), while teammate Tasija Karosas swept the backstrokes and Lauren Case the butterfly events.

For the men, Olympic gold medalist Joseph Schooling picked up wins in the 100 free (43.49) and 100 fly (46.64), while teammates Jack Conger, Will Licon, Townley Haas and Clark Smith also picked up individual victories.

On Saturday, the two teams again met in Austin and swam some unique events, including 75s and 150s of every stroke, 300s of free and IM and even a 300 consisting of 150 free and 150 of choice stroke. The only “real” event contested was the 100 IM.

Highlights of the meet included Haas’ 1:08.28 in the men’s 150 free and Conger’s 1:12.23 in the 150 fly, but nothing compared to Smith’ effort in the 2000-yard free. He wore a jammer for the race and swam by himself on his way to a final time of 17:42.61.

Most notable about the effort was Smith’ split at the 1650-yard mark: 14:37.95. It’s not clear if Smith flipped on his way to that time or touched the wall and kept going.

Only two men have swum faster than that time in the mile all season: Smith and True Sweetser, who posted respective times of 14:32.77 and 14:35.03, respectively, in a head-to-head showdown at the Texas Invite in November.

Full results are available here: Friday (traditional meet) and Saturday (alternative meet).

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