U.S. Nationals: Regan Smith Smokes 58.04 in 100 Backstroke Prelims, Leads Stacked Final
Regan Smith has put together a spectacular start to her U.S. National Championships in Indianapolis.
Day 4 brought what has historically been her best event, the 100 backstroke. She is the American record holder at 57.57, just 12 hundredths of a second off the world record.
The women’s 100 backstroke brings out the best because it has traditionally been the most stacked event in swimming, dating back to Natalie Coughlin and Missy Franklin. Plenty of Olympians and elite swimmers chased them, but also pushed them to greatness.
The event trend has continued for more than a decade. This year another loaded field that includes Claire Curzan, Phoebe Bacon, Katharine Berkoff, Isabelle Stadden, Olivia Smoliga and Rhyan White – and five Olympians made the final, led by Smith’s 58.04.
Smith was in the final of seven prelims heats. Smith was out in 28.02 just ahead of Berkoff. Smith finished in 58.04, ahead of Berkoff (58.39).
White claimed the first circle-seeded heat with a 59.66 to hold off a late charging Smoliga (59.79).
The second circle-seeded heat saw Curzan smoke a first half of 28.76 and got to the wall in 59.24 ahead of Stadden (59.43).
Smith had the top seed (58.04), ahead of Berkoff (58.39), who swam a best time after winning the 50 backstroke at U.S. Nationals.
Third went to Kennedy Noble (59.11), ahead of Curzan (59.24), Stadden (59.43), Bacon (59.61), White (59.66) and Smoliga (59.79).
