Performance of the Week: Dec. 4, 2012

PHOENIX, Arizona, December 4. WE saw four American records fall last weekend at the USA Swimming nationals and the Georgia Invite. All great swims, to be sure, but there was one that stood out more than others as a major barrier breaker.

On Saturday, Arizona's Kevin Cordes won the 200-yard breaststroke at nationals with a 1:50.73, breaking the American record by a full second. This gives Cordes the American records in both breaststroke events and makes him the prohibitive favorite at the NCAA championships. Cordes had an amazing stroke count throughout the race, taking three strokes in the first 25, then four strokes each on lengths two through five. He bumped it up to five strokes each on lengths six and seven, and took six strokes on the final 25.

On our Race Day show last Saturday, I talked more about why I believed Cordes' swim was indeed the highlight of the weekend.

Congratulations, Kevin Cordes. You've won our Performance of the Week.

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