Jack Conger’s 200 Fly Headlines Number of Strong Times at Virginia Intrasquad

jack-conger
Photo Courtesy: Connor Trimble

The University of Virginia returned to competition on Friday afternoon as the Cavaliers and their pro group put down some solid September times after the COVID-19 summer. Conger, who is one of the post-grads swimming with coach Todd DeSorbo, swam a 1:41.61 in the 200 butterfly in his first official race back in six months. Conger, who is one of the favorites to make the Olympic team in both butterfly events, finished ahead of UVA undergrad Josh Fong (1:49.05).

The intrasquad meet also served as the debut of a strong freshmen class as Alex Walsh, one of the top IM’ers in the world, swam a 59.85 in the 100 breaststroke, not far off her best time of 58.19 from her sophomore year of high school. She later returned with a 52.19 in the 100 butterfly to finish ahead of Caroline Gmelich (53.54).

The national high school record holder in the 50 freestyle, Matt Brownstead, made his collegiate debut with a 19.89 in the 50 freestyle, as he was the only swimmer to break 20 seconds. Brownstead set the national record last year with a 19.2.

One of last season’s breakout stars was Kate Douglass, and she opened her sophomore campaign with a 1:44.51 in the 200 freestyle, finishing behind postgrad Catie DeLoof (1:43.35). Douglass also swam the 100 IM, touching at 52.48 behind Sean Conway (49.39).

Conway also broke the pool record in the 200 IM with a 1:45.83, lowering the old record set by Pat Mellors (1:46.58) in 2008.

Rising senior Paige Madden won the 100 freestyle at 49.09 as the primarily distance freestyler also won the 500 freestyle at 4:39.20, which is not far off her best time of 4:32 set at the 2019 NCAAs when she was second.

Keefer Barnum put up a strong performance in the 200 breaststroke at 1:57.69 and was a 53.00 in the 100.

Other winners from Virginia swimming and diving intrasquad:

  • 50 free: Catie DeLoof, 22.18
  • 100 free: Jack Wright, 45.01
  • 200 free: Jack Wright, 1:38.34
  • 500 free: Jack Walker, 4:27.53
  • 100 back: Caroline Gmelich, 52.68
  • 200 back: Justin Grender, 1:44.19; Erin Earley, 2:02.10
  • 100 fly: Max Edwards, 47.55
  • 200 IM: Ella Nelson, 2:00.05
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Former Hoo
Former Hoo
3 years ago

Jack Conger beat 2nd yr Josh Fong, younger brother of 2019 grad Zach Fong. It was a phenomenal intrasquad meet. Thanks for covering it!

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