U.S. Nationals: Rhyan White Pops Sub-59 Effort On Way to Crown in 100 Backstroke
Just a month ago, Rhyan White stood on the medals stand at the World Championships. As part of a stacked backstroke contingent for the United States, the Tokyo Olympian and University of Alabama standout won the bronze medal in the 200-meter backstroke. Now, she has a national title at half the distance.
Pressing the pace from the start at the United States National Championships, White fended off a late charge from Dutchwoman Kira Toussaint and prevailed in the 100 backstroke in 58.91, the only sub-59 performance in the field. Toussaint touched the wall in second place in 59.24 while Isabelle Stadden, who won the 200 backstroke earlier in the week, went 59.55.
White wasted no time taking command of the race, as she made the turn ahead of the field, thanks to a split of 28.51. Given her status as a World Champs medalist at 200 meters, White wasn’t going to budge much during the back half. And while she yielded some ground to Toussaint, White had plenty of reserve to finish strongly. This year, she is one of six women to break the 59-second barrier in the event, with her top time a 58.59 mark from the U.S. International Team Trials in the Spring.
After qualifying fifth during prelims, Olympian and Stanford recruit Claire Curzan scratched out of the final due to a non-COVID illness. It is the second time this week in which Curzan has withdrawn a final, joining the 100 butterfly. The teenage star has already enjoyed a superb summer, as she won five medals at the recent World Championships in Budapest. There, Curzan helped a quartet of relays to the podium and claimed a bronze medal in the 100 backstroke.
With a national title earned, White will now turn her attention to the upcoming collegiate season, where Alabama is expected to – once again – rank among the elite squads in the country. The Crimson Tide and coach Margo Geer return a considerable amount of talent, with White leading the way. The Team USA veteran is certainly looking forward to the season.
“We’re planning to tear it up at ‘Bama next year,” White said during her deckside interview. “Stay tuned.”
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