2017 WOMEN’S PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Wednesday, February 22 – Saturday, February 25
- Federal Way, WA (Pacific Time Zone)
- Defending Champion: USC (results)
- Live Results (also on Meet Mobile)
- Live Video
- Pac-12 Record Book
- Championship Central
On night 3 at the 2017 Pac-12 Women’s Swimming and Diving championships, Ally Howe accomplished something that hasn’t been done in 15 years. Howe became the 2nd woman in history to break 50 seconds in the 100 back, successfully defending her Pac-12 title with a blistering 49.69. With that, she erased Natalie Coughlin‘s elusive American Record of 49.97, which was set back in 2002.
Howe just took down the last remaining American or U.S. Open Record in yards that was set before the supersuit era. The oldest record in the books is now Peter Vanderkaay’s 500 free record from 2008.
Howe’s Splits By 50:
- 1st 50- 24.12
- 2nd 50- 25.57
- Final Time- 49.69
Finishing 2nd was Cal’s Kathleen Baker, who took the Olympic sivler in the 100 back this summer, with a personal best 50.27. Howe is now the fastest performer of all time, while Baker moves up to 4th all time. Both swimmers moved ahead of Janet Hu, who sits as the 6th fastest all time with her 50.29 from this morning’s preliminary heats.
All Time Top Performers: Women’s 100 Back
- Ally Howe, Stanford, 49.69
- Natalie Coughlin– 49.97
- Courtney Bartholomew– 50.01
- Rachel Bootsma– 50.03
- Kathleen Baker, Cal, 50.27
- Janet Hu– 50.29
I wasn’t ready! Biggest game-changer of the meet. The crazy thing is I still wouldn’t say she’s a lock to win it at NC’s but certainly a big favourite. And what’s her long course PB?
Off topic but here’s the first race video I’ve found about Lilly King’s American record.
Not ideal. Bad quality. But still better than nothing. Maybe the Big 10 youtube channel will wake up one day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=detj7P87pyw
Post-race reaction and interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ROfcoRUwrg
Last part of her race
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aKoihOlEi4
Watching the video, makes you wonder whether she can translate that into long course. She has excellent under waters AND backstroke technique. I’m not sure.
My exact thought. Bartholomew 2.0?
And I thought that Cal girls would win both backstroke events…. 🙂
Stanford girls on fire. Either they peak too early and I doubt that seriously when we know the talent of the coaches there or it’s just a preview of what will happen at NCAAs. A mass destruction.
What? 😯
Where does it come from?
I’m not shocked to see Natalie’s record broken. We knew it would happen soon.
But I never expected that this week and especially from Ally Howe.
Crazy Friday in terms of fast swims.
Congrats to her. Very impressive performance. I would like to see the race. I don’t remember how she swims. What are her strengths? Is she an underwater swimmer made for SCY or can she convert that into long course?
Does a video exist of Coughlin’s 2002 swim?
And Natalie’s 100 back in Fort Lauderdale that year?
First sub-minute ever in long course.
Legendary world record in 59.58.
I’m still waiting for the race video…. 😥
PACFAN – none that we’ve seen.
This is the swim of the year so far. Taking down Nat’s legendary record is nothing short of incredible. She won that NCAA’s by nearly 4 seconds in 2002 and so many thought it to be unbeatable. This sport is just getting faster and faster!
Taking down a record of that stature does indeed deserve the label of “swim of the year” thus far. Unexpected, but should not be overlooked because of her name recognition