By David Rieder
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, March 6. AT the Maryland Swimming Championship Meet in Annapolis, North Baltimore's Elizabeth Pelton set an American record in the women's 200-yard backstroke.
Pelton's time of 1:49.16 beat the 1:49.52 set by Natalie Coughlin all the way back in 2002 at the NCAA Championships, and she also improved on her previous best of 1:50.51 from December 2010. Pelton moved from fifth to second all-time in the event, trailing only Gemma Spofforth.
Pelton's time today ranks third on the all-time list, behind Spofforth's U.S. Open record of 1:48.34 and a 1:49.11 from Spofforth, both from 2009. A full recap from the meet is forthcoming.
Event 99 Girls 200 Yard Backstroke
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Name Age Team Prelims Finals
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=== A – Final ===
1 Pelton, Elizabeth 17 North Baltimore- 1:53.14 1:49.16
26.13 53.58 (27.45)
1:21.27 (27.69) 1:49.16 (27.89)