Introduction
Francis Townley Haas (born December 13, 1996) is an American swimmer specializing in freestyle events.He currently represents the Cali Condors which is part of the International Swimming League.
Background
Haas grew up in Richmond, Virginia (where his family still lives) and graduated from Benedictine College Prep.Before his time at Texas he swam for Geoff Brown at Nova of Virginia Aquatics (NOVA), which sent nine swimmers to the 2016 Olympic Trials in Omaha, Nebraska.
Career
College career
He won the 500 yard freestyle and the 200 yard freestyle at the 2016 NCAA Men's Division I Swimming and diving Championship. In 2016, he swam in a 4×200 free relay for Texas setting the US Open record and with the fastest relay split ever. In 2018, Haas broke the American and NCAA records in the 200-yard freestyle at the NCAA Championship meet with a time 1:29.50, becoming the second person under 1:30 after Blake Pieroni.
2016 Olympics
In 2016, he placed first at the US Olympic Swimming trials in the 200 meter freestyle, qualifying for a spot on the US Olympic Team. Haas also placed third in the 400 m freestyle.
At the Rio Olympics, he placed fifth in the 200 meter freestyle and first in the 4 × 200 meter freestyle relay. He swam the second leg on the relay and provided the fastest split of the entire field by 0.71 seconds.
International Swimming League
In 2019 he was a member of the inaugural International Swimming League representing the Cali Condors, who finished third place in the final match in Las Vegas, Nevada in December. Haas competed in the 200 meter and 400 meter freestyle races as well as relay events throughout the season.