2017 WOMEN’S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Wednesday, March 15 – Saturday, March 18
- IUPUI Natatorium – Indianapolis, IN
- Prelims 10AM/Finals 6PM (Eastern Time)
- Defending Champion: Georgia (results)
- Championship Central
- Psych Sheet
- Event Previews
- Live Stream: Wednesday/Thursday Prelims & Finals, Friday/Saturday Prelims / Friday/Saturday finals on ESPN3
- Live Results
Kathleen Baker posted the third-fastest swim in history to win the NCAA championship in the 100 yard backstroke tonight, swimming the event in 49.84. With that swim, she now holds two of only four sub-50 performances in history, adding another to her 49.80 relay split from yesterday (which still stands, despite Cal’s disqualification).
Baker held the lead throughout, hitting the halfway point as the only swimmer in the field to split under 24 with 23.98. Her second 50 split, 25.86, was also faster than any swimmer in the final.
Olivia Smoliga was second in 50.04 (24.07/25.97) to notch the seventh-fastest performance in history. You can see the top performances in history below:
- Ally Howe (2017): 49.69
- Kathleen Baker (3/16/17): 49.80
- Kathleen Baker (3/17/17): 49.84
- Natalie Coughlin (2002): 49.97
- Courtney Bartholomew (2014): 50.01
- Rachel Bootsma (2015): 50.03
- Olivia Smoliga (3/17/17): 50.04
The 100 back was Baker’s second individual title of the meet. Last night, she won the 200 IM in 1:51.69 to upset defending champion Ella Eastin. She also scored a silver medal in the 800 free relay on Wednesday. The 200 back is still to come for Baker tomorrow; she comes into the event seeded first.