Did Jere Hribar Swim The Fastest 25 Free Split In History? The 2026 SEC Championships kicked off with a bang as LSU junior Jere Hribar made history during the 200 medley relay. With a lightning-fast 17.59 split, he not only secured the top spot for his school but also claimed the fourth-fastest time in history. But here's where it gets controversial... While Hribar's overall performance was impressive, it was his opening 25-meter split of 8.08 that truly stole the show. This time could potentially be the fastest 25-meter split ever recorded. Among the fastest 50-meter free splits, Hribar's and World Champion Jordan Crooks' first 25s from the same event tie for the best recorded. However, the two fastest 50-meter free splits in history, both achieved by Caeleb Dressel at the 2018 NCAA Championships, don't have recorded 25-meter splits. This raises the question: Is Hribar's 8.08 truly the fastest 25-meter split? A race to a seven-point 25-meter split is brewing, and Hribar will get another shot on LSU's 200-meter free relay on Friday. Will he defend his title and cement his place in history? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: Jere Hribar has certainly sparked a debate about the fastest 25-meter split in history.
