Olympic Trials Day 2 Prelims: Lilly King Top Seed in 100 Breaststroke; Gabrielle Rose Makes Semis at 46

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

One of the most anticipated races involving star power at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials is the women’s 100 breaststroke.

With a trio of Olympians – Lilly King, Lydia Jacoby and Alex Walsh – competing, the race is an anticipated three-way showdown that started with prelims on Sunday morning.

King is the world record holder and an Olympic gold medalist in the event. Jacoby won the Olympic gold in the event in Tokyo going head-to-head with King.

Walsh, meanwhile, has been an Olympian in the 200 IM and since has set a slew of NCAA records in multiple events.

The field also included NCAA champion Kaitlyn Dobler, 2012 Olympian Breeja Larson and a slew of contenders looking to make their move into the semifinals.

King holds the world record in the 100 breaststroke at 1:04.13 set in 2017 at the World Championships in Budapest. The U.S. Open record is still Jessica Hardy, who swam a 1:04.45 in 2009.

While the trio swam well and got to the semifinals, attention of the crowd was diverted to an earlier heat.

The oldest competitor in the field was Gabrielle Rose, 46, who was out fast in her heat and closed in 1:08.43 to win her heat. The crowd erupted and Rose got a little emotional, mouthing “thank you” to the crowd, who again thundered an applause after she got out of the water. She finished 11th and qualified for the semifinals.

In the first circle-seeded heat, Dobler got to the wall in 1:07.26, the fastest swim in the first eight heats – but there were two to go.

The reigning Olympic gold medalist was next and Jacoby went a 1:07.25, but Duke’s Kaelyn Gridley was even faster at 1:06.80.

Then it was the world-record-holder’s turn. King was introduced to thunderous applause in her home state. She was out on 31.0 and got to the wall in 1:06.05 to take the top seed and Walsh was not far behind.

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