Current best: each age group's best time, against the swimmers in it now.
Michael is 25.83 from the middle half of what these freshmen swam as seniors.
The middle half ran 1:46.45–1:53.03, median 1:48.72.
Best times from the senior season (Sept 1 to Aug 31) of 67 U.S. men who joined the top 25 teams at the 2026 NCAA Division I Championships as freshmen in fall 2026, from official meet results. A school shows only with at least 5 freshmen in an event. A guide, not a guarantee.
Sectionals for Michael's LSC: Texas Speedo Sectionals — the cuts, who has them, and how close Michael is.
USA Swimming time standards — 17-18 Boys