U.S. Olympic Trials, Day 3 Semifinals: Regan Smith Cracks American Record in 100 Backstroke

U.S. Olympic Trials, Day 3 Semifinals: Regan Smith Cracks American Record in 100 Backstroke

There’s been plenty of recent evidence that Regan Smith is performing at the highest level of her career. For one, she set an American record in the 100-meter backstroke at last month’s Speedo Grand Challenge. More, she became the No. 5 performer in history in the 100 butterfly at the ongoing United States Olympic Trials in Indianapolis.

So, it’s hardly surprising that Smith topped the semifinals of the 100 backstroke during Monday night’s Trials action at Lucas Oil Stadium – and did so with flair.

Coming off a sub-58 morning effort, Smith slashed .04 off her American record when she touched the wall in 57.47. Smith was .13 under world-record pace at the 50-meter turn, where she split 28.02. Ultimately, she finished .14 off the world record, which was set by Aussie Kaylee McKeown at 57.33 in 2023. Smith will get another chance at the global standard on Tuesday night, when she leads the field into the final.

“I’m really proud of it,” Smith said. “I think I executed really well, and it’s fun to just chip away at my best time. And to do a best time twice in one season, it’s awesome.”

The depth shown by the United States in the 100 backstroke is downright striking, as 13 of the 16 semifinalists cracked the one-minute barrier in the event. Additionally, four dipped under the 59-second barrier, with another two women going 59-low. The overall performance by the U.S. was a strong response to the top-end strength displayed by Australia at its recent Olympic Trials. In Brisbane, McKeown and Mollie O’Callaghan clocked 57-point outings, with Iona Anderson going 58.43. McKeown is the reigning Olympic champion in the 100 backstroke.

Now representing Longhorn Aquatics, Smith was the bronze medalist in the 100 backstroke at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and seems primed to challenge McKeown for Olympic glory in Paris. First, though, she must officially secure an Olympic bid in the event, and she could be pushed by Katharine Berkoff, who qualified second for the final in 57.83. Berkoff became the fifth woman in history to go under 58 seconds in the event, and she will try to join her father, David Berkoff, as an Olympian.

“I think Katharine’s going to help push me a lot,” Smith said. “I was so fricking proud of her 57 tonight, so I think we’re going to have a great race. I’m 0.14 away from it, so it’s all about details, and Kaylee is wonderful about executing everything perfectly, and I think that’s where she gets those hundredths. I’d like to work on doing the same.”

The No. 3 seed for the final will be shared by Josephine Fuller and Kennedy Noble, who produced matching times of 58.79. There was also a tie for fifth, with Claire Curzan and Rhyan White going 59.08. The field for the final was rounded out by Leah Shackley (59.25) and Phoebe Bacon (59.33).

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

Name*

Email*

1 Comment

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Kanga1

9 days ago

Regan is looking good and certainly will be able to take it up against Kaylee in Paris. Probably take a WR to win Gold. That said I’ve every confidence that the Aussie can continue her dominance over her American rival.