Hold onto your swim caps, because history was just made in the pool! Will Modglin, a Texas junior, has come within a hair's breadth of breaking the elusive 20-second barrier in the 50-yard backstroke, clocking an astonishing 20.00 at the 2025 Texas Hall of Fame Invitational. This jaw-dropping performance not only crowns him as the fastest man ever in this event but also leaves us on the edge of our seats, wondering if a sub-20 swim is just around the corner. But here's where it gets controversial: is this fall season record-breaker a sign of things to come, or just a fluke in the typically slower off-season? Let’s dive into the details.
The 2025 Texas Hall of Fame Invitational, held from November 18-21, 2025, at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin, TX, kicked off with a bang. The event, which follows a championship format in short course yards (SCY), featured prelims starting at 9:30 am ET for swimming and 11:30 am for diving, with finals at 5:30 pm ET (except for Tuesday’s relay timed finals at 5 pm ET). Live results are available, and you can track the action on Meet Mobile under “Texas Hall of Fame Swimming Invite.”
On the first night, Modglin stole the show with his 20.00 leadoff leg in the Longhorn men’s 200 medley relay, shattering records and setting the swimming world abuzz. While it’s uncommon to see all-time fastest performances in the fall—typically reserved for the spring championship season—Modglin’s achievement wasn’t entirely unexpected. He’s been on a steady upward trajectory since high school, where he graduated with a best time of 20.80. Since then, he’s consistently shaved off seconds: 20.49 as a freshman in 2024, 20.32 last year, and now 20.00, a full three-tenths of a second faster than his previous best. And this is the part most people miss: his progression isn’t just about raw speed—it’s about technique, training, and mental fortitude.
Let’s take a look at the record progression in the men’s 50-yard backstroke:
- Junya Koga (Club Wolverine), 2014 – 20.35
- Ryan Murphy (Cal), 2016 – 20.20
- Bjorn Seeliger (Cal), 2022 – 20.08
- Aiden Hayes (NC State), 2024 – 20.07
- Will Modglin (Texas), 2025 – 20.00
Modglin isn’t just dominating the 50 back; he’s also a force to be reckoned with in longer distances. He currently holds the fastest time in the country this season in the 200 back (1:39.41) and the second-fastest in the 100 back (44.46). Speaking of competition, ASU’s Adam Chaney, who swam a 20.19 in the same race as Seeliger in 2022, is hot on his heels. Chaney owns the fastest 100 back time this season (44.46) and the second-fastest 200 back (1:39.59). While Modglin is set to swim the 100 back later in the meet, he’s skipping the 200 back. Chaney, however, is expected to compete at the CSCAA Dual Meet Challenge later this week, where he could challenge Modglin’s new 50 back record. Bold prediction: Could Chaney be the one to finally break the sub-20 barrier?
Here’s where it gets even more intriguing. Modglin’s performance raises questions about the timing of peak performances. Traditionally, swimmers peak during the championship season, but Modglin’s fall record challenges this norm. Is this a sign of evolving training strategies, or just an anomaly? And what does this mean for the future of competitive swimming? Are we witnessing a shift in how athletes prepare for their seasons?
As we celebrate Modglin’s achievement, let’s not forget the swimmers who paved the way: Junya Koga, Ryan Murphy, Bjorn Seeliger, and Aiden Hayes. Each of these athletes pushed the boundaries of what’s possible, setting the stage for Modglin’s historic swim. But the question remains: Who will be the first to go sub-20? Will it be Modglin, Chaney, or someone else entirely? Weigh in below—do you think the sub-20 barrier will fall soon, or is it still years away? Let the debate begin!
