Kathleen Baker Tops Women’s 200 Back Prelims at World Champs

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Photo Courtesy: SIPA USA

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After winning silver in the women’s 100 back Tuesday night, the United States’ Kathleen Baker could be looking to do one better in the 200-meter distance. She was the only woman to crack 2:07 in prelims, finishing in 2:06.82, not far off her world No. 1-ranked time of 2:06.38.

But if Baker hopes to win gold, she will have to deal with a Hungarian crowd-backed Katinka Hosszu, who qualified second in prelims in 2:07.30. Qualifying third out of prelims was Australia’s Emily Seebohm, the reigning World Champion, who touched in 2:07.94.

Qualifying fourth was 15-year-old American Regan Smith, who lowered her lifetime best for the third consecutive race after twice doing so at U.S. Nationals. She dropped down to a 2:08.13 in prelims, quicker than the 2:08.55 she swam to finish second behind Baker at Nationals last month.

Two Canadians occupied the next two qualifying spots: 100 back World Champion and world record-holder Kylie Masse (2:08.30) and 200 back Olympic bronze medalist Hilary Caldwell (2:08.32).

Ukraine’s Daryna Zevina qualified seventh in 2:09.16, and then a second Australian, Kaylie McKeown, qualified eighth in 2:09.42.

Also reaching the semi-finals were Italy’s Margherita Panziera (2:09.43), Spain’s Africa Zamorano (2:09.70), Hungary’s Katalin Burian (2:09.86), Russia’s Daria Ustinova (2:09.99), Germany’s Lisa Graf (2:10.10), China’s Liu Yaxin (2:10.59), Moldova’s Tatiana Salcutan (2:11.17) and Hong Kong’s Yin Yan Lau (2:11.67).

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Sandra Hill

7 years ago

It’s kaylee mckeown…not kaylie.