Pan Pacific Championships Night Four Finals: Men’s 50 Freestyle
The 50 freestyle is always a fun roll of the dice. Anything can happen, and any minor miscue or delay can turn into a major issue.
Coming into the finals of the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships, there were four men within a quarter of a second apart in prelims, aiming to bring home the sprinting gold.
Australia’s Jamie Jack and Brazil’s Gui Caribe joined USA’s Quintin McCarty and Jack Alexy in the middle of the pool for the splash and dash.
The field was even through about 30 meters before Jack was able to pull ahead and break the meet record in 21.35.
“It’s awesome. That’s the best I could ask for,” Jack said. “I’ve felt very comfortable with it, honestly, which I’ve been really surprised by. Having been around such a high-quality squad back in Australia, I’m very accustomed to how it feels. I just wanted to continue my process and do what I can do and let the results show. Same as the 4 x 1, we’ve got depth. I’ve really wanted to own (being) behind Cam (McEvoy) – Ill humbly accept being behind Cam any time. But to be 23 years old and be chasing after a world-record holder is honoring.”
Alexy won the silver medal with a time of 21.42, just ahead of Caribe, who won his third medal of the week in 21.54.
“It’s not my PB. I wanted more,” Caribe said. “But I’m really happy with the whole competition, the whole meet – three medals, three bronzes, the only three medals for Brazil. So really happy to bring that from my country. And it’s been really good to see all the videos and program and everything for L.A.”
McCarty finished fourth in 21.71 – again the four separated by less than a half second.
