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Just after the United States showed off its depth in the men’s 100 breast, it showed off its depth again in the 100 back on Saturday morning at the Phillips 66 USA Swimming Nationals in Irvine. Regan Smith, just 16, broke her own World Junior Record with a 59.09 on Saturday morning in Irvine. Smith finished just ahead of her old record of 59.11. She has been faster at 58.95 but that record has not been ratified.
Smith is just ahead of 15-year-old Phoebe Bacon from Nation’s Capital Swim Club with her 59.12 this morning. Smith and Bacon now sit first and second in the 15-16 NAG rankings all-time.
Both swimmers moved up to fifth and sixth in the world rankings for 2018.
Those two are ahead of a pretty stacked field with 2017 World Championship team members Kathleen Baker (59.27) and Olivia Smoliga (59.36) sitting in third and fourth. NC State’s Elise Haan (59.73) and Texas A&M’s Lisa Bratton (59.76) also broke a minute in the heats in Irvine.
Lisa Bratton (1:00.05) and Katharine Berkoff (1:00.10) also placed in the top eight and have a chance to sneak a spot on the Pan Pac team.
2018 World Rankings:
- Kylie Masse, CAN, 58.54
- Emily Seebohm, AUS, 58.66
- Kathleen Baker, USA, 58.77
- Taylor Ruck, CAN, 58.97
- Regan Smith, USA, 59.09
- Phoebe Bacon, USA, 59.12
- Olivia Smoliga, USA, 59.14
- Fu Yuanhui, CHN, 59.27
15-16 All-Time NAG Rankings:
- Regan Smith, 58.95 (2017)
- Phoebe Bacon, 59.12 (2018)
- Missy Franklin, 59.18 (2011)
- Rachel Bootsma, 59.77 (2009)
- Elizabeth Pelton, 59.99 (2010)
- Isabelle Stadden, 1:00.06 (2018)
- Lucie Nordmann, 1:00.16 (2016)
- Grace Ariola, 1:00.49 (2016)
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