Regan Smith became the 7th 15-year old to break the 1-minute barrier in the long course 100 meter backstroke globally on Saturday. She swam a 59.74 to win the race at the Indianapolis Sectionals and break her own prelims record of 1:00.62 in finals. The old record was a 1:01.38 by Emily Bos from the 2009 meet.
Smith, who turned 15 in February, went out in 28.95 and came back in 30.79. Missy Franklin currently holds the National Age Group Record of 59.18.
List of 15-year olds who have gone under 1 minute (by best time):
- Minna Atherton, Australia, 59.37 (World Junior Record) – 2015
- Missy Franklin, United States, 59.56 – 2011
- Emily Seebohm, Australia, 59.59 – 2008
- Mie Nielsen, Denmark, 59.69 – 2012
- Regan Smith, United States, 59.74 – 2017
- Rachel Bootsma, United States, 59.77 – 2009
- Daria K. Ustinova, Russia, 59.78 – 2014
Smith trains with the Riptide Swim Team in Minnesota. Her previous-best, done at last year’s U.S. Open, was a 1:00.26.
Wow, US tradition (both male and female) in baskstroke is amazing.
Not an April Fool here. 🙂
Congrats to Regan and her coach.
Always a great accomplishment for a female backstroker to break the minute barrier.
An important step in Regan’s career. And she turned 15 only last February!
She can make a top 5 at next world trials in both backstroke events. Top 2? The 200 back is very open with Missy probably absent and Maya retired. 2.08 low should be enough to qualify. Making the top 2 to qualify for worlds in the 100 back will be tough with Kathleen Baker and Olivia Smoliga who are at their best right now but anything is possible with such a young talent who improves at a fast pace. No limits.
Bootsma in 2012
Plummer 2016
Smith in 2020
Minnesota backstrokers
Plummer is from Oklahoma
Yes OK native and swam HS there. Swam for U of MN; trained and coached (HS and club) in MN. His wife Erin is a medical doctor in MN. I believe he trained for Rio at NYAC. Pretty extensive MN connections.
Actually. I believe he trained for Rio at U of MN, while officially representing NYAC.
True, He stayed in MN
The last 13 years in MN…I am going to say he is from MN now
When you’re under a minute in 100 back, you are a threat anyways.
Should be a threat as soon as this summer
Ronald Dalmacio just went under a minute at an intrasquad meet today
That’s a new boys’ 11/12 NAG record. It was 1.00.33 by Vinny Marciano.
His time?
59.98 officially
Thanks.
Emily Seebohm used to represent the USA? Is that true or a typo?
And why is Missy’s 59.18 not listed in the list, but a different time altogether?
It’s 15 year old times. Not 15-16.
lots of time between now and 2020, but this girl has a real, legitimate shot to make the Olympic team/medal.
This girl has a real, legitimate shot to break the world record before 2020.