Ed Moses wasn’t the only swimmer to continue his comeback at a Masters meet this weekend. Just a few-weeks after her 44th birthday, the 5-time Olympian continued her quest to extend her incredible elite longevity at a long course Masters meet at Florida Gulf Coast University.
As has become her norm since returning from a regenerative knee surgery, Torres limited her schedule to a single event: the 50 free. It appears as though this is the way she’ll go for London, as the event has no turns (which are undoubtedly rough on her knee). As her knee progresses, perhaps she will stretch herself to the 100 for a relay if needed, but individually the 50 seems to be it.
She won the race in 25.68, which cleared the field by 5 seconds. The swim moves her into the top 50 in the world this year (bettering her 25.90 from the Missouri Grand Prix) and makes her the 7th-best American this year.
Torres said afterward that she is just working on strengthening her knee, and that she was pleased with her swim. After only a few months back in training, that mark is all-in-all an encouraging one. Based on last year’s US Nationals, it will likely take better than a 24.8 to make the US Olympic team in the 50, and at least a 54.7 to make the 400 free relay.