fastest all-time for the 220 yard breaststroke (long course) and would have been the fastest 200 meter breaststroke (long course) in history (pre-bifurcation of the breaststroke in 1953) as well if it had been dual timed. This is evidenced by the dual distance timed race in the 1950 National AAU Indoor Championships in the 220 yard breaststroke (short course) between Joe Verdeur and Robert Brawner. During the race, Verdeur broke the world record for 200 meters with a time of 2:28.3 (short course). However, Brawner won the race with a time of 2:29.3 for the full 220 yards beating Verdeur who was second in 2:29.4. On July 10, 1952, Stassforth's coach, David Armbruster, had predicted a time of 2:33 for him in the 200 meter breaststroke (long course): "In my opinion, Bowen is capable of about 2:33 and he certainly should be a strong contender for the Olympic title." References 1926 births 2019 deaths American male breaststroke swimmers Iowa Hawkeyes men's swimmers Olympic silver medalists for the United States in swimming Pan American Games gold medalists for the United States Pan American Games bronze medalists for the United States Military personnel from California Swimmers at the 1951 Pan American Games Swimmers at the 1952 Summer Olympics Medalists at the 1952 Summer Olympics Pan American Games medalists in swimming Swimmers from Los Angeles Medalists at the 1951 Pan American Games