Women’s 100 Backstroke – 2013 World Championship Trials – as reported by swimswam:
The Cal women’s dominance in the 100 backstroke has been well-discussed and will continue to be well-discussed for at least the next two years. For tonight, though, we’ll push that story line aside in favor of the more National perspective, and how good American women’s backstroking could be for the next decade.
Missy Franklin won this race and took the U.S. Open Record (fastest on American soil) in 58.67. She was joined in the top four by Liz Pelton (59.27) who exactly matched her own prelims time; Sarah Denninghoff, who is having an explosive meet and was 59.75, or under a minute for the first time; and Rachel Bootsma, who was 59.90.
That’s four swimmers under one minute, and among them Denninghoff is the oldest at 21. The other three are all teenagers, and with swimmers competing into the end of their 20′s, all three could remain under that minute mark for the next decade if they wanted to.
The same could be said for Olivia Smoliga, who though she hasn’t been having her greatest meet finished Friday with 1:00.38. She could be under a minute for a decade longer as well.
Kathleen Baker from SwimMAC was 6th in 1:00.62 at only 16, and Kendyl Stewart was 7th at only 18 years old.
Point made.
Winning the B-Final was Stanford’s Felicia Lee in 1:00.81. As she was leaving the water, her and her former NBAC coach Bob Bowman exchanged a nice moment, as Bowman came over to greet her with a warm-looking hug.
I’d say Missy’s start and turn were better at the final. Alarming time, not for Missy but others.
You’re right. It was better in the 100 back. But I haven’t still recovered from her start in the 50 back final!
Unlike Missy, Liz hasn’t finished her job in Indianapolis yet. She has a big chance to qualify in the 200 IM. She has a huge potential in this race. Great butterfly. Huge backstroke. Great freestyle. Her only problem, but it’s a big problem, is on breaststroke. She has 3 years to improve her breaststroke split by 2 seconds (easy to say, not easy to do) and she will be a gold medal contender in Rio.
Congrats girls! Outstanding women’s backstroke team! And if Liz could help a little Missy on the starts, underwaters and turns in the next years, it would be cool.