U.S. Open, Day Four Finals: Regan Smith Pops 2:05.28 Mark To Top Summer McIntosh In 200 Backstroke
Through the first three days of the U.S. Open, Regan Smith and Summer McIntosh each had the chance to put their vast talent on display. So, it was fitting they clashed on the final day of the meet at the Greensboro Aquatic Center, with the 20-year-old Smith registering a victory over the Canadian teenager in the 200-meter backstroke.
Leading wire to wire, Smith posted a spectacular time of 2:05.28, with McIntosh following in 2:07.15. Smith’s effort would have captured the bronze medal at the World Championships in Budapest, and propels her into the 2023 season with momentum.
The 200 backstroke was Smith’s fourth title of the weekend, following previous wins in the 200 individual medley, 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke. Later in the session, she collected her fifth gold medal, behind a win in the 200 butterfly. From the start, Smith was in command, and she eventually stopped the clock in 2:07.30 for a comfortable margin over Lindsay Looney (2:10.25).
Unquestionably, Smith’s performances reveal that her new training base in Arizona, where she is under the mentorship of Bob Bowman, is clicking. During interviews in Greensboro, Smith spoke about being pushed in training by the likes of teammate Chase Kalisz and enjoying the challenges designed by Bowman.
McIntosh, too, has excelled over the past few days. In addition to breaking the four-minute barrier in a runnerup showing to Katie Ledecky in the 400 freestyle, the 16-year-old went 4:28.61 for a world junior record in the 400 individual medley.
Aleksas Savickas Fends Off Chase Kalisz
Gator’s Aleksas Savickas went with the aggressive approach in the men’s 200 breaststroke, and the decision paid off in a big way. Under world-record pace for the front half of the race, Savickas finished in 2:09.68 to edge Chase Kalisz and his 2:10.10. After touching the wall, Savickas was clearly surprised at his time, which marked his first venture under the 2:10 barrier. Kalisz’s second-place showing marked another strong effort, as he earlier won the 200 individual medley and 400 IM.
In Other Action:
The Cardinal Aquatics duo of Nicolas Albiero and Zach Harting went one-two in the 200 butterfly, with Albiero building a sizable lead off the start and racing to a time of 1:56.32. Harting was strong over the back half of his race and came through with a runnerup mark of 1:57.06.
Coming off a National Age Group (NAG) record in the 17-18 classification in the 100 backstroke, Daniel Diehl added a 200 backstroke victory to his ledger. The 17-year-old standout easily bettered the field, touching the wall in 1:56.41. That time was good for a three-second decision over Nico Garcia (1:59.49).
Gabi Albiero turned a slight deficit at the midway mark of the 100 freestyle into a tight win over Beata Nelson. Albiero came through for the first-place finish in 54.90, with Nelson going 54.94. Nelson had a .03 edge at the turn, but Albiero pulled ahead in the final strokes. An event later, Albiero’s Cardinal Aquatics teammate, Andrej Barna, won the men’s 100 freestyle with a swim of 48.45. Second place went to Florida’s Josh Liendo in 48.97.
Alfonso Mestre won the first men’s event of the night, as he covered the 1500 freestyle in 15:16.51. In the women’s 200 breaststroke, Gillian Davey emerged victorious in 2:27.06.
Now that Ragan is getting back in world class form her future should be wide open!