The 200 breast NCAA record has been on full alert all day, mostly from Georgia, where current record-holder Breeja Larson was gunning to better her mark at SECs. But with Larson missing the mark earlier tonight, the hunt for a new standard wasn’t over yet: Notre Dame junior Emma Reaney went 2:04.34 to win the ACC title and break Larson’s mark in Greensboro.
Reaney was very close to the record earlier this year, going 2:05.85 back in December. But her pursuit of the record got somewhat lost in the shuffle as Larson came dangerously close to lowering her mark at prelims of the high-profile SEC meet this morning.
Reaney came into tonight’s final as the 2-seed behind Virginia’s Laura Simon, but wound up all alone at the front. Reaney split 28.01/31.34/32.30/32.69, going out in 59.25 to break Larson’s record of 2:04.48 set back in 2012. Along with the NCAA record, Reaney breaks the American and U.S. Open marks also held by Larson.
This no doubt sets up what could be the fastest and most-hyped NCAA showdowns in history when Reaney and Larson go head to head in Minneapolis in just about a month.
😯
Like Liquidassets, I didn’t see that coming.
It’s great when there are surprises.
But on the other hand, it’s not a so big surprise when we analyze her 100 breast earlier in the meet.
Her record before this week was 59.22 and she lowered it to swim 58.46.
We know she’s better in the 200 breast so it was much promising.
Her 200 PR was 2.05.85.
So it’s not so amazing to see her in 2.04.48.
Congrats to her!
Great American and NCAA record!
Emma Reaney…
SMASH!!!
Well deserved! Way to go IRISH!
Amazing! I didn’t see that coming!!