RACE VIDEO: Beata Nelson Cracks American Record in 100 Back With 49.67 At Texas Invite

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Wisconsin junior Beata Nelson rocketed to the fastest 100 back of all-time on Friday night at the Texas Invitational with a 49.67, breaking the American and US Open Record of 49.69 by Ally Howe of Stanford from the 2017 Pac-12’s.

Nelson was second all-time with her 49.78 from Big Ten’s last year. She won the 100 back final in Austin tonight in front of a trio of impressive Longhorns in Claire Adams (50.95), Julia Cook (51.70) and Grace Ariola (51.86).

Nelson was second last year at NCAA’s in the 100 back behind Howe, and is looking to become just the second Badger in women’s swimming and diving to win an NCAA title after Maggie Meyer won the 200 back in 2011.

Nelson also swam an impressive 100 butterfly earlier today with a 50.90 this morning. She scratched the 100 fly final, most likely to focus on the 100 back tonight. This was a big improvement for Nelson, who swam her first 100 fly best time since high school in November 2014.

Beata Nelson was Swimming World’s High School Swimmer of the Year in 2016.

All-Time Rankings:

Beata Nelson, Wisconsin, 49.67 (2018)
Ally Howe, Stanford, 49.69 (2017)
Kathleen Baker, California, 49.80 (2017)
Janet Hu, Stanford, 49.93 (2018)
Natalie Coughlin, California, 49.97 (2002)
Courtney Bartholomew, Virginia, 50.02 (2014)
Rachel Bootsma, California, 50.03 (2015)
Olivia Smoliga, Georgia, 50.04 (2017)
Cindy Tran, California, 50.31 (2012)
Elise Haan, NC State, 50.42 (2018)

 Event 21  Women 100 Yard Backstroke
=========================================================================
           50.99  A
           53.94  B
    Name           Year School            Prelims     Finals       Points 
=========================================================================
                            === A - Final ===                            
 
  1 Beata Nelson        Wisconsin           50.50      49.67 A      
             11.72        24.02 (12.30)
          36.68 (12.66)       49.67 (12.99)
  2 Claire Adams        Texas               52.02      50.95 A      
             12.06        24.67 (12.61)
          37.84 (13.17)       50.95 (13.11)
  3 Julia Cook          Texas               51.80      51.70 B      
             12.44        24.91 (12.47)
          38.20 (13.29)       51.70 (13.50)
  4 Grace Ariola        Texas               52.55      51.86 B      
             12.31        25.36 (13.05)
          38.67 (13.31)       51.86 (13.19)
  5 Jess Unicomb        Wisconsin           52.69      52.57 B      
             12.37        25.34 (12.97)
          38.87 (13.53)       52.57 (13.70)
  6 Aria Bernal         UofA                52.69      52.75 B      
             12.38        25.44 (13.06)
          39.04 (13.60)       52.75 (13.71)
  7 Katie Coughlin      Wisconsin           53.57      53.18 B      
             12.43        25.67 (13.24)
          39.53 (13.86)       53.18 (13.65)
  8 Katrina Konopka     UofA                53.85      53.36 B      
             12.64        26.01 (13.37)
          39.80 (13.79)       53.36 (13.56)

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