Texas A&M sophomore Breeja Larson broke the NCAA record in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 57.92 in the morning prelims at the Big 12 Swimming & Diving Championships on Friday at the Mizzou Aquatic Center.
Larson, from Mesa, Ariz., became the first collegian under 58 seconds while breaking the old NCAA record of 58.06 set by Annie Chandler of Arizona at the 2010 NCAA Championships in West Lafayette, Ind. Larson was just off the American record of 57.77 set by Tara Kirk in 2006 in Austin, Texas.
“It was an awesome swim without a doubt,” Aggie head swimming coach Steve Bultman said. “She was in a racing suit, but she’s nowhere close to being rested or shaved. She’s a racer. She believes in herself and she believes that she can accomplish anything. She surprised some people today. It surprised me that she did it right now.”
Larson will have another crack at the American record in tonight’s finals on day three of Big 12 Championships, which begins at 6 p.m. central. Larson was the silver medalist in both the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke at last year’s NCAA Championships, but will be seeking her first Big 12 individual championship tonight. Larson was second to Texas’ Laura Sogar in both races at the 2011 Big 12 Championships in Austin.