Van Mathias Blasts American Record in 100 Breaststroke

Van Mathias Blasts American Record in 100 Breaststroke at TYR Pro Series in Indianapolis

Ahead of the final day of the TYR Pro Series stop in Indianapolis, Van Mathias made a tactical decision. The Indiana Swim Club star, who is enjoying the finest year of his career, opted to scratch the 50-meter butterfly from his program, despite his podium potential in the event. The move ensured Mathias would be fresh for the final of the 100 breaststroke on Saturday night, allowing him a run at the American record.

The strategy paid off.

Surging to an immediate lead, Mathias destroyed the opposition and broke the American record in the 100 breast, an effort of 58.01 doing the job. Mathias entered the meet with a personal best of 58.19 and his new American standard clipped the 58.14 that Michael Andrew posted during the 2020 Olympic Trials, which were held in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was the second American record of the meet for Mathias, who lowered his 50 breaststroke mark t0 26.30 during Wednesday night’s session. On the way to his record in the 100 breaststroke, Mathias split 26.76 for the outgoing 50 meters and came home in 31.25. In addition to becoming the fastest American in history, Mathias moved to No. 4 on the all-time performers list, following Great Britain’s Adam Peaty (56.88), China’s Qin Haiyang (57.69) and the Netherlands’ Arno Kamminga (57.80).

Mathias has been a revelation for USA Swimming over the past year. After qualifying for this summer’s Pan Pacific Championships in the 50 breaststroke, Mathias has expanded his excellence to include the 100 breaststroke, 50 butterfly and 50 freestyle. Working with Indiana Associate Head Coach John Long Jr., training sessions have emphasized quality over quantity, while a personalized weightlifting program has paid clear dividends.

At Pan Pacs, Mathias will be a favorite to claim gold medals in the sprint breaststroke events. More, he figures to handle breaststroke duties for the United States on the 400 medley relay, providing Team USA with a reliable and high-powered leg.

Meet Results

                        === A - Final ===                         
 
  1 Mathias, Van           25 Indiana Swim Clu    58.32      58.01A 
    r:+0.66  26.76        58.01 (31.25)
  2 Petrashov, Denis       26 Cardinal Aquatic  1:00.51      59.39  
    r:+0.67  27.73        59.39 (31.66)
  3 Avakov, Alexei         20 Indiana Universi  1:00.32    1:00.16  
    r:+0.62  27.81      1:00.16 (32.35)
  4 Barr, Luke             23 Texas Ford Aquat  1:00.06    1:00.22  
    r:+0.60  28.06      1:00.22 (32.16)
  5 Conklin, Finnley       19 Univ Louisville-  1:00.47    1:00.82  
    r:+0.65  28.07      1:00.82 (32.75)
  6 Bey, Josh              19 Indiana Universi  1:01.69    1:00.99  
    r:+0.66  28.41      1:00.99 (32.58)
  7 Benzing, Brian         24 Towson Universit  1:01.35    1:01.04  
    r:+0.61  27.97      1:01.04 (33.07)
  8 Garner, Jed            21 Towson Universit  1:01.63    1:01.29  
    r:+0.65  28.80      1:01.29 (32.49)