U.S. Nationals: Katharine Berkoff Swims World’s Fastest 50 Backstroke in Prelims

Katharine Berkoff -- U.S. Nationals: Katharine Berkoff Swims World's Fastest 50 Backstroke in Prelims

U.S. Nationals: Katharine Berkoff Swims World’s Fastest 50 Backstroke in Prelims

At last year’s International Team Trials, Katharine Berkoff set the American record in the 50 backstroke as she touched out Regan Smith for the lone qualifying spot available for the United States. Berkoff is a threat to repeat the win and secure a spot at the World Championships after she swam the fastest time in the world for 2023 in prelims.

Berkoff scorched the final heat and touched the wall in 27.27. Already, that’s faster than the 27.39 that Berkoff swam to win silver in the 50 back at last year’s Worlds and actually ahead of Kylie Masse’s gold-medal time (27.31). The American record, which Berkoff will surely threaten in the final, stands at 27.12.

Smith, already the winner of the 200 fly and 200 back this week, skipped the 100 fly prelims to focus on this 50 back and her upcoming events, including the 100 back Friday, and she edged out Isabelle Stadden in their heat, 27.44 to 27.64. Those times ranked second and third overall.

Gretchen Walsh, already heading to Fukuoka after winning the 50 fly and taking third in the 100 free, claimed fourth in 27.78. Walsh, who will also race in the 100 fly final as the top seed Thursday evening, is the fastest 100-yard backstroker in history at 48.26. Sun Devil’s Olivia Smoliga, the 2019 world champion in this event, was fifth in 27.83.

Cal’s Abbey Weitzeil also broke 28, touching in 27.99, just ahead of Ohio State’s Amy Fulmer (28.00) and Wolfpack’s Rhyan White (28.04). Weitzeil and Smoliga both secured their places in Budapest in the 100 free while White finished second to Smith in the 200 back.

The third and fourth-place swimmers from the 200 back final both did not swim their 50-meter prelims races. Claire Curzan opted out after qualifying fourth for the 100 butterfly final while Kennedy Noble also did not compete. Both are expected in the 100-meter event Friday.

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