Did Jere Hribar just shatter records with the fastest 25-yard freestyle split in history? This question is sparking heated debates in the swimming world, and the answer might surprise you. At the 2026 SEC Championships, held from February 16 to 21 at the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center in Knoxville, TN, LSU junior Jere Hribar delivered a jaw-dropping performance during the 200 medley relay. His anchor leg split of 17.59 seconds not only secured his spot as the fourth-fastest performer in history but also set a new school record by a significant margin. But here's where it gets controversial: Hribar's first 25 yards, clocked at 8.08 seconds, could be the fastest ever recorded—a claim that’s dividing experts and fans alike.
To put this into perspective, Hribar’s split ties with World Champion Jordan Crooks’ first 25 from the same event last year, making them the fastest recorded times in this segment. However, the two quickest 50-yard freestyle splits in history—both achieved by Caeleb Dressel at the 2018 NCAA Championships—lack detailed 25-yard data. Dressel’s times of 17.30 and 17.37 are over two-tenths faster than Hribar’s, leaving room for speculation about where that difference lies. But here’s the twist: Dressel was known for his relatively weaker relay starts, a critical factor in the first 25 yards. Despite being a nine-time Olympic gold medalist, his flying starts were often overshadowed by his explosive flat starts, which is why he typically led off the U.S. 4×100 freestyle relay.
So, is Hribar’s 8.08 truly the fastest 25-yard split ever? While the debate rages on, one thing is certain: a race to break the seven-second barrier is heating up. Hribar will have another chance to prove himself in LSU’s 200 free relay on Friday, and a pack of hungry NCAA sprinters are undoubtedly eyeing the same goal. And this is the part most people miss: even if Hribar’s time isn’t officially the fastest, it’s a testament to the evolving speed and technique of modern swimmers.
For context, here’s a breakdown of the fastest 50-yard freestyle splits and their opening 25s:
| Athlete | Team | Meet | 50 Split | First 25 Split |
|------------------|-----------------|---------------|----------|----------------|
| Caeleb Dressel | Florida | 2018 NCAAs | 17.30 | Unknown |
| Caeleb Dressel | Florida | 2018 NCAAs | 17.37 | Unknown |
| Jordan Crooks | Tennessee | 2025 SECs | 17.42 | 8.08 |
| Jordan Crooks | Tennessee | 2024 Invite | 17.57 | 8.23 |
| Josh Liendo | Florida | 2026 SECs | 17.58 | 8.34 |
| Jere Hribar | Louisiana State | 2026 SECs | 17.59 | 8.08 |
| Jordan Crooks | Tennessee | 2025 Dual | 17.66 | 8.27 |
| Caeleb Dressel | Florida | 2017 NCAAs | 17.71 | 8.40 |
| Jonny Kulow | Arizona State | 2025 NCAAs | 17.78 | 8.30 |
| Chris Guiliano | Texas | 2025 NCAAs | 17.80 | 8.20 |
| Gui Caribe | Tennessee | 2025 NCAAs | 17.81 | 8.33 |
| Vlad Morozov | USC | 2013 NCAAs | 17.86 | Unknown |
| Caeleb Dressel | Florida | 2017 SECs | 17.86 | Unknown |
What do you think? Is Hribar’s 8.08 the fastest 25-yard split ever, or does Dressel’s legacy still hold the edge? Let us know in the comments below—this debate is far from over!
