It wasn’t a big meet, but it was a big performance for Torri Huske.
The US Open champion in the 100 butterfly in December put together a stunning swim in the event at the 2020 Arlington Aquatic Club Summer Long Course Splash & Dash, which started before 7 a.m.
Huske, who recently committed to Stanford, set a personal record in the 100 butterfly, touching the wall in 57.43. Her previous best was 57.48. Heading into an Olympic year, this was a big step.
“It almost didn’t feel like I was racing. The environment was really weird because it was with two teammates,” Huske told Swimming World. “I feel like I didn’t have the snap in the race, but I was able to go a best time because I am so much stronger. I feel like the biggest difference between me now and me in December is that I’m a lot stronger now. During quarantine, I focused a lot more on strength training because I didn’t have a pool for a while. I think this is promising for next year.”
Her time places her fourth in the U.S. since the 2016 Olympics in Rio behind Kelsi Dahlia (56.37, 2017 worlds), Katie McLaughlin (57.23, 2019 worlds) and Regan Smith (57.34, 2020 Pro Swim Series in Des Moines).
Smith’s top time is the 17-18 National Age Group Record and Huske now ranks second.
Huske has qualified for the Olympic trials, which is just nine months away, in the 100 fly, 200 fly, 50 free, 100 free, 200 free and 200 IM. But her focus has been the 100 fly.
Torri Huske swam in the race against two male teammates. Jack Mowery, who is headed to West Point, finished in 56.59. Nolan Dunkel, 14, also swam the race (58.56), both finishing with personal bests.
The trio swam three consecutive races.
In the 50 free, Huske had another personal best in 25.34, while Mowery swam 24.58 and Dunkel clocked a 26.33.
In the 200 IM, Huske went a 2:16.46. Mowery swam a 2:15.39 and Dunkel went 2:23.30.
“It was great to race again. I am thankful that we had the opportunity to do this,” Huske said. “The other half of the pool was another team getting their practice in while we were racing (the last two races). So it was weird, but it worked out. It was early in the morning, so it just felt surreal.”
Huske was named the Swimming World High School Swimmer of the Year when she was the only high school girl to break an individual national high school record in 2019. She also broke Mary T. Meagher’s 15-16 NAG record this summer at the US Nationals, erasing Mary T.’s legendary 57.93 from 1981 that had stood as the world record until 1999.
She broke her own mark at the U.S. Open.
“It was definitely a big race. It is another stepping stone,” Torri Huske said after the Open. “Hopefully there are more to come.”
After this Sunday morning performance, it seems like there are indeed more stepping stones on the way.
“This is promising. I feel like I am right where I want to be. I swam this time trial to see where I am at and get a routine down,” she said. “Because of COVID-19, there will probably be more meets that have no one in the stands and are quiet and I wasn’t used to that. Now I have to figure out what I need to do with my weight training leading into a meet. Overall, I feel like I am where I want to be — but I want to be a lot faster. I typically do better at night, so I am treating this like it was a really good prelim swim.”
قوة