Natalie Coughlin Breaks Pan American Games Record In 100 Free

American swimming star Natalie Coughlin showed the world what she was made of right from the get go at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, setting a new games record in the 100 free during prelims on day one.

Coughlin was out in 25.85, coming home in 28.00 to set the new Pan Am Games record of 53.85. That time broke the previous mark held by Amanda Weir of the United States that she set back in 2011. Weir was beside Coughlin when she took down her record.

That time for Coughlin is the fastest she’s been since 2010 Pan Pacs when she was a 53.67. It’s also the second fastest she’s been since the 2008 Beijing Olympics, showing huge improvement heading towards Rio.

Coughlin’s 53.85 from this morning currently ranks her 10th in the world this season. Prior to this swim she was ranked 17th globally with the 54.08 she swam at the Arena Pro Swim Series at Mesa.

The time for Coughlin also ranks her as the fastest American performer in the event this season, taking out Margo Geer who swam a 53.95 at the LA Invite this past weekend.

Coughlin’s best time is a 53.39 from the 2008 Santa Clara International. If she matches that tonight, she’ll be ranked sixth in the world this season. It will take a 53.32 to crack the top five.

2014-2015 LCM Women 100 Free

2Femke
HEEMSKERK
NED52.6904/04
2Cate
CAMPBELL
AUS52.6904/08
4Sarah
SJOSTROM
SWE52.7008/07
5Ranomi
KROMOWIDJOJO
NED53.1708/07
6Emma
McKEON
AUS53.3205/23
7Melanie
WRIGHT
AUS53.5004/08
8Brittany
ELMSLIE
AUS53.6604/08
9Missy
FRANKLIN
USA53.6808/02
10Siobhan-Marie
O'CONNOR
GBR53.8104/14
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CoachGB
8 years ago

Way to go Natalie. Show people how to swim with class. When some one is ready they are. It is about time other swimmers just swam and not listen to all those with their conjectering stay on a roll.

DDias
8 years ago
calswimfan
8 years ago

Natalie being Natalie. GO BEARS!!

Joel Lin
8 years ago

She is incredible. Timeless and great.

Philip Johnson
Reply to  Joel Lin
8 years ago

One of the great female swimmers of our generation.

Ex Aqua
8 years ago

Natalie looks really good. She’s hungry to silence those that wrote her off and erase some of the recent disappointments. I think AVW will be *tough* tonight– finals will be great and looking for both of them to hit 53.5 or under.

Philip Johnson
8 years ago

Very promising swim for Nat.

hswimmer
8 years ago

Hope she gets the AR!! You go, Natalie!!

Victor P
8 years ago

Time for a breakthrough. Hope she drops a personal best.

About Mitch Bowmile

Mitch Bowmile

Mitch worked for 5-years with SwimSwam news as a web producer focusing on both Canadian and international content. He coached for Toronto Swim Club for four seasons as a senior coach focusing on the development of young swimmers. Mitch is an NCCP level 2 certified coach in Canada and an ASCA Level …

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