Swimming can be a sport of a split second, so it helps to have a reach advantage on the rest of the field.
Having a height advantage is more than just the reach at the end, though. It means more powerful strokes thanks to longer arms and legs, less resistance from the water when swimming, and having just that slightest amount of less distance to cover in the pool.
Plenty of men's swimmers come in with towering heights, putting them among the taller athletes in sports. There are still always some who stand above the rest. One such swimmer is Jack Alexy, who will be competing in the men's 100m freestyle Wednesday at the 2024 U.S. Olympic team trials.
Alexy has already put his height to use, posting the second-fastest time in the semifinal to book his spot in the final for the event. Should he place top two in the event, he'll have an individual spot in the Olympics and a relay spot. If he places third or fourth, he'll still be on the 4x100m free relay team.
Just how tall is Alexy? Here's what you need to know.
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Jack Alexy height
Alexy stands at an imposing 6-7. That makes him the tallest swimmer among those in the 100m free.
Height is something of a family trait for the standout freestyle swimmer. His grandfather, Bill Ebben, is a former NBA player who stands 6-4. His mother and Ebben's daughter, Lynn Ebben, played collegiate basketball at Notre Dame and stands 5-11, per Notre Dame's basketball guide.
How about the competition he'll face in the 100m freestyle?
Olympic trials men's 100m freestyle swimmers height
Macguire McDuff height
McDuff is among the tallest swimmers in the field at 6-6, with some believing him to be closer to 6-7.
Hunter Armstrong height
Armstrong stands 6-6, making him tied for the second-tallest swimmer in the field.
Chris Guiliano height
Guiliano stands 6-4.
Caeleb Dressel height
Dressel, a seven-time Olympic gold medalist, stands 6-3.
Destin Lasco height
Lasco comes in at 6-2.
Ryan Held height
Held comes into the race at 6-1. He is only taller than Matt King.
Matt King height
King stands at 6-foot, even, making him the shortest swimmer in the field.
