Quintin McCarty Uses Mare Nostrum Series to Rise Up Sprint Ranks
Heading into the opening leg of this year’s Mare Nostrum Series, Quintin McCarty ranked 17th all-time among American athletes in the 50-meter freestyle. A time of 21.79 served as McCarty’s best in the event, delivered at last summer’s National Championships. By the time the North Carolina State star left Monaco, he found himself in a tie for seventh on the historical list, 21.43 standing as his new best.
At a time when Anna Moesch is rocketing up the female ranks in the freestyle events, including to No. 2 in the 100 distance, McCarty is enjoying his own boom. The 22-year-old McCarty was at his best last weekend, as he won the 50 freestyle during the first stop of this year’s Mare Nostrum action. That victory required McCarty to successfully navigate Monaco’s five-round elimination format, and he accomplished the feat in style. Prior to clocking 21.43 in the final, where he defeated Serbian Andrej Barna, McCarty registered a time of 21.67 in the semifinals.
Last summer served as a breakthrough for McCarty, whose 24.34 victory in the 50 backstroke at Nationals earned him a roster spot on the Team USA squad that competed at the World Championships in Singapore. At Worlds, McCarty finished fifth in the 50 backstroke, an event that will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. For good measure, McCarty was fourth at Nationals in the 50 free.
From there, McCarty packaged a strong collegiate season for N.C. State, finishing fourth in the 50 freestyle (18.47) at the NCAA Championships. That showing was complemented by a sixth-place finish in the 100 free (40.90) and a ninth-place outing in the 100 backstroke. McCarty also contributed to a trio of top-five relays as the Wolfpack placed sixth in the team standings.
As strong as McCarty has been over the past year, his performance in Monaco signified his biggest step forward. Two years shy of LA28, McCarty has elevated himself to sprinting’s upper echelon in a pair of events, the 50 freestyle now joining his already established reputation in the 50 backstroke. This week, he’ll have another opportunity to test himself on the international stage, as McCarty is scheduled to race at the Canet leg of the Mare Nostrum tour. McCarty is entered in the 50 and 100 distances of the backstroke, butterfly and freestyle in France, though it is unlikely he’ll contest all six events.
Later this summer, McCarty will race at the Pan Pacific Championships, an additional chance to test himself against international competition. Will McCarty leave Southern California with an individual medal? Given his continued improvement, he’ll certainly be in the mix.