A Quarter-Century Reunion: The Legends of Men’s Swimming Records Unite

Josh Boss received a message in the afternoon from his former Hope College swimming and diving associate and had to read it twice. Shortly thereafter, a broad grin appeared.

Last month, the 100-yard breaststroke record held by Boss for the Flying Dutchmen for 25 years was finally broken. Freshman Luke Newcomb surpassed Boss by achieving a time of 54.54 seconds on November 23 during Day 2 prelims of the Total Performance Invitational hosted by Kenyon College (Ohio).

Newcomb and Boss encountered one another for the first time earlier this month when Newcomb replaced Boss on the Kresge Natatorium record board on campus. Head coach Jake Taber invited Boss to the practice session.

Boss cherished the chance to commend Newcomb, who broke the 56.69 that Boss swam in 1999.

“I got a text from Taber. ‘Hey buddy, I thought you’d be thrilled to see this. I’m looking forward to you meeting Luke; he’s a fantastic guy,” Boss recalled when he initially discovered Newcomb’s accomplishment. “I had to read the message twice. I thought it was fantastic. Luke has a lot more promise as well.”

The 100 breaststroke record was the oldest for the Flying Dutchmen and the final one from seasons commencing with 19.

It was set by Boss at the 1999 NCAA Division III National Championships. Additionally, he achieved a national record while securing the first of three national titles in the 100 breaststroke.

Boss became the national champion in the 200 breaststroke, clinching the event four times. In 2001, he was recognized as the national swimmer of the year.

According to Newcomb, Boss is a legendary figure.

“Upon joining the team, I heard tales of his NCAA records, competing with a fractured hand,” Newcomb mentioned, hailing from Brighton, Michigan (Brighton HS). “Fifty-four was an incredible time for 1999. I didn’t anticipate achieving it until the leagues. I’m very enthusiastic.”

Newcomb’s 54.44 places him ninth in NCAA Division III and first in the MIAA for this season. It marks a provisional cut for nationals.

No. 17-ranked Hope will next compete in a split-quad meet on Saturday, January 11, at Wheaton College (Illinois) for swimming and at Kalamazoo College for diving.

Taber noted that he was aware Newcomb had the capability to challenge for Hope’s 100 breaststroke record. Before coming to Hope, Newcomb had swum the event in 54.56 seconds.

“It’s an absolute delight because I swam alongside Josh; he was captain during my freshman and sophomore years. It was an iconic record for what it signified in DIII swimming and for him to be an inaugural first-team ballot Hall of Famer,” Taber stated. “There were discussions when we established those breaststroke records that they would be the records never to be broken.

“It took a moment, but here we are 25 years later, and it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving individual than Luke. Knowing Josh, his representation and character, it is fitting for Luke to be the one to break that record.”