Saturday, April 30, 2022
Regan Smith Leads Olympians at Phillips 66 International Team Trials Night Four
Regan Smith’s U.S. Open record in the women’s 100-meter back highlighted the fourth night of competition at the 2022 Phillips 66 International Team Trials at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, N.C.
Smith, who finished second in the 200m fly and 50m back earlier in the meet, officially punched her ticket to Budapest with the fastest time ever swum on U.S. soil in the women’s 100m back. Her time of 57.76 broke her own record of 57.92 from the Olympic Trials last summer. Claire Curzan, who has already qualified for Budapest in several events, wound up second in 58.39.
"I’m really happy with that time," Smith said. "It’s a great time for me. I’m really happy to end on a good note.
"If I’ve learned anything this week, it’s that USA women’s backstroke is not something to be messed with and I’m just really proud of everyone. There are so many girls who are deserving of swimming the 100 and 200 back at worlds that won’t get to, there’s just so many talented girls in this field so it’s just a shame we can’t bring more people.”
Katie Ledecky added the women’s 400m free to her program for Budapest with the only sub 4:00 swim of the meet. Ledecky cruised to a 3:59.52 for the win, comfortably in front of Leah Smith’s 4:03.15. Smith has the potential to swim in several individual events as well after finishing second in a couple of races.
“It’s good to see her swimming as good as she is," Ledecky said of Leah Smith's efforts. "She’s been a great teammate over the years on Team USA with me. I’m excited to be in the ready room with her a lot this summer.”
University of Florida teammates Kieran Smith and Trey Freeman topped the men’s 400m free final, with Smith, the 2020 Olympic bronze medalist, on top in 3:46.61 and Freeman close behind in 3:46.93.
Lilly King will have the opportunity to race all three breaststroke events at Worlds after sweeping the events this week. Tonight, she posted a 1:05.67 to win the 100m breast, with Olympic teammate Annie Lazor in second at 1:06.12.
"I was joking with her [Lazor] like ‘Oh, you’re a sprinter now," King said. "That was a long-time coming and I know after the disappointment in the 200m [breaststroke], I know she wanted that one really bad.”
Nic Fink and Michael Andrew separated themselves from the rest of the heat in the men’s 100m breast final and ended up being the only two swimmers to break 1:00, with times of 58.37 (Fink) and 58.51 (Andrew). Fink had already won the 200m breast and finished second in the 50m breast earlier in the meet.
After claiming the world record in the men’s 50m back last night, Hunter Armstrong added the 100m back to his schedule for worlds with the top time of the night, 52.20. He touched out Olympic gold medalist Ryan Murphy in the process, who came in second at 52.46.
“I’m extremely confident moving into Budapest," Armstrong said. "That was definitely the scariest swim I’ve had this meet. Nobody knows I’m a freestyler so the 100 [freestyle] was kind of just going, 50 back happened, but you know because of the 50 back I learned who my competitors were and it all came down to racing. I’m super excited to represent the U.S.A. with [Ryan] Murphy once again.”
The meet continues tomorrow with prelims at 9 a.m. ET and finals at 6 p.m. ET.
Smith, who finished second in the 200m fly and 50m back earlier in the meet, officially punched her ticket to Budapest with the fastest time ever swum on U.S. soil in the women’s 100m back. Her time of 57.76 broke her own record of 57.92 from the Olympic Trials last summer. Claire Curzan, who has already qualified for Budapest in several events, wound up second in 58.39.
"I’m really happy with that time," Smith said. "It’s a great time for me. I’m really happy to end on a good note.
"If I’ve learned anything this week, it’s that USA women’s backstroke is not something to be messed with and I’m just really proud of everyone. There are so many girls who are deserving of swimming the 100 and 200 back at worlds that won’t get to, there’s just so many talented girls in this field so it’s just a shame we can’t bring more people.”
Katie Ledecky added the women’s 400m free to her program for Budapest with the only sub 4:00 swim of the meet. Ledecky cruised to a 3:59.52 for the win, comfortably in front of Leah Smith’s 4:03.15. Smith has the potential to swim in several individual events as well after finishing second in a couple of races.
“It’s good to see her swimming as good as she is," Ledecky said of Leah Smith's efforts. "She’s been a great teammate over the years on Team USA with me. I’m excited to be in the ready room with her a lot this summer.”
University of Florida teammates Kieran Smith and Trey Freeman topped the men’s 400m free final, with Smith, the 2020 Olympic bronze medalist, on top in 3:46.61 and Freeman close behind in 3:46.93.
Lilly King will have the opportunity to race all three breaststroke events at Worlds after sweeping the events this week. Tonight, she posted a 1:05.67 to win the 100m breast, with Olympic teammate Annie Lazor in second at 1:06.12.
"I was joking with her [Lazor] like ‘Oh, you’re a sprinter now," King said. "That was a long-time coming and I know after the disappointment in the 200m [breaststroke], I know she wanted that one really bad.”
Nic Fink and Michael Andrew separated themselves from the rest of the heat in the men’s 100m breast final and ended up being the only two swimmers to break 1:00, with times of 58.37 (Fink) and 58.51 (Andrew). Fink had already won the 200m breast and finished second in the 50m breast earlier in the meet.
After claiming the world record in the men’s 50m back last night, Hunter Armstrong added the 100m back to his schedule for worlds with the top time of the night, 52.20. He touched out Olympic gold medalist Ryan Murphy in the process, who came in second at 52.46.
“I’m extremely confident moving into Budapest," Armstrong said. "That was definitely the scariest swim I’ve had this meet. Nobody knows I’m a freestyler so the 100 [freestyle] was kind of just going, 50 back happened, but you know because of the 50 back I learned who my competitors were and it all came down to racing. I’m super excited to represent the U.S.A. with [Ryan] Murphy once again.”
The meet continues tomorrow with prelims at 9 a.m. ET and finals at 6 p.m. ET.