You are working on Staging2

WATCH: Regan Smith Smashes McKeown’s 100 Back World Record (Day 4 Race Videos)

2024 U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS

The Indianapolis faithful were treated to their second world record in four nights at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, as Regan Smith put on a stunning display in the final of the women’s 100 backstroke.

After lowering her American Record down to 57.47 in the semis, Smith scorched a time of 57.13 in tonight’s final, knocking two-tenths off Kaylee McKeown‘s mark of 57.33 set last year.

Katharine Berkoff was the runner-up in 57.91, her second straight swim sub-58 after clocking 57.83 in the semis, to secure her spot in Paris (though not yet official).

Women’s 100 Back

  1. Regan Smith (TXLA), 57.13 WR
  2. Katharine Berkoff (WOLF), 57.91
  3. Kennedy Noble (WOLF), 58.81
  4. Josephine Fuller (TENN), 59.03
  5. Rhyan White (WOLF), 59.07
  6. Phoebe Bacon (UW), 59.37
  7. Leah Shackley (BRY), 59.40
  8. Claire Curzan (TAC), 59.57

United States (Courtesy NBC Sports)

International (Courtesy C Dawg)

The other final of the night was the men’s 800 freestyle, which saw reigning Olympic champion Bobby Finke fend off rising star Luke Whitlock to book his ticket to Paris in a time of 7:44.22.

Whitlock kept it close the whole race and was less than a second back at the wall in 7:45.19, blowing past the boys’ 17-18 NAG record of 7:48.09 set back in 2003 by Larsen Jensen.

MEN’S 800 FREE

  1. Bobby Finke (SPA), 7:44.22
  2. Luke Whitlock (FAST), 7:45.19
  3. Daniel Matheson (SUN), 7:49.34
  4. David Johnston (TST), 7:50.23
  5. Ross Dant (WOLF), 7:54.56
  6. Charlie Clark (OSU), 7:57.28
  7. Will Gallant (TST), 7:58.22
  8. Sean Green (LIAC), 7:59.01

United States (Courtesy NBC Sports)

The men’s 100 freestyle featured a marquee showdown between Jack Alexy and Caeleb Dressel in the second semi, but it was Chris Guiliano producing the top time of the session out of the first heat in a blazing 47.25.

MEN’S 100 FREE — SEMI-FINALS

Finals Qualifiers:

  1. Chris Guiliano (ND), 47.25
  2. Jack Alexy (CAL), 47.33
  3. Caeleb Dressel (GSC), 47.53
  4. Hunter Armstrong (NYAC), 47.59
  5. Destin Lasco (CAL), 47.90
  6. Macguire McDuff (FLOR), 48.04
  7. Ryan Held (NYAC), 48.05
  8. Matt King (TFA), 48.11

United States (Courtesy NBC Sports)

International (Courtesy C Dawg)

In the women’s 100 free, it was 2016 Olympic gold medalist Simone Manuel winning the second semi over two of the big favorites coming in, Kate Douglass and Gretchen Walsh. The first heat was topped by Torri Huske, who heads into tomorrow’s final with the top seed at 52.90.

WOMEN’S 100 FREE — SEMI-FINALS

Finals Qualifiers:

  1. Torri Huske (AAC), 52.90
  2. Simone Manuel (SUN), 53.16
  3. Kate Douglass (NYAC), 53.21
  4. Gretchen Walsh (NAC), 53.33
  5. Abbey Weitzeil (CAL), 53.66
  6. Beata Nelson (UN-WI), 53.92
  7. Catie Deloof (NYAC), 53.98
  8. Erika Connolly (TNAQ), 54.09

United States (Courtesy NBC Sports)

In This Story

8
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

8 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
EXCALIBUR
4 months ago

Regan’s underwater push after the turn was just Perfectly timed & she emerged just a few inches before the 15 meter limit mark . Absolutely well executed 👌
Her kick on those last 20 meters was just enormous & stronger than anybody else

Last edited 4 months ago by EXCALIBUR
Iceman
4 months ago

Yo i know this article is about Regan but did you guys see how badly Dressel ran down Alexy the last couple of strokes…. goddamn

EXCALIBUR
Reply to  Iceman
4 months ago

Impressive run down …but Alexi seemed to not know ( YET ) exactly how to close such a fast race correctly !

Last edited 4 months ago by EXCALIBUR
Philip Johnson
4 months ago

Work is not done yet, but great job. Regan is still the underdog.

Helk bengur
4 months ago

Regan will crush Kaylee in Paris, Kaylee = 0 gold

Kaylee Arnie MOC
Reply to  Helk bengur
3 months ago

This aged badly 😆

Hoser
4 months ago

Thank you, C Dawg!

Rswim
4 months ago

You can tell how badly she wanted that record back. Congrats Regan, find a nice pool in the French Alps for camp!!

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

Read More »