Natalie Coughlin lost a tough race in the 100 free, where she was the favorite to take home gold. That was back on the first night of these Pan Am Games, and she didn’t race again until the 50 free prelims yesterday. Without a middle lane in finals, she surprised the field for a bronze medal in 24.66, a lifetime best for the 32-year-old. And now, she’s put together perhaps her most impressive swim of the meet with a fantastic preliminary round 400 medley relay lead-off of 59.20 for the Americans.
Coughlin came up way ahead of the rest of the field and stormed to the turn at 28.49, which ties her 4th best time ever in the 50 back. That time that she tied with was swum at the 2001 World Championships, 14 years ago. Coughlin had a ridiculous 50 back at the Arena Pro Swim Series at Santa Clara (27.51) to upend the American record that surprised even Coughlin herself, and at the turn, it was to be expected that Coughlin would be out first.
What wasn’t quite as predictable was Coughlin’s back half, where she came back in 30.74 for the fastest 2nd 50 in the field, even faster than Dominique Bouchard, who’s known for having great back halves to her backstroke races. Bouchard was just 31.40. Coughlin hit the wall at 59.20, the only swimmer under 1:01 (and 1:00 for that matter) to give the Americans a gargantuan lead just 100 meters into the race.
This swim for Coughlin destroyed Etiene Medeiros‘ new Pan Am Games record from just last night, when the Brazilian smoked the 100 back final with a time of 59.61 to break national and continental records. The time of 59.20 also moves Coughlin up to the #4 time in the world this year.
2014-2015 LCM Women 100 Back
SEEBOHM
58.26
View Top 26»2 Madison
WILSONAUS 58.75 08/04 3 Katinka
HOSSZUHUN 58.78 08/03 4 Mie
NIELSENDEN 58.84 08/03 5 Yuanhui
FUCHN 59.02 08/04
Many of our readers have speculated that Coughlin should compete more in the 100 back at the international level, rather than sticking to just the sprint freestyle. This is her fastest 100 back since the 2011 World Championships, and it’s only tenths off of her lifetime best of 58.94 from the 2008 Olympics. The U.S. coaches weren’t necessarily expected to put forth Coughlin on the back leg, but with her incredible performance this morning along with a very solid 53.95 anchor from Allison Schmitt, Coughlin’s chances of getting another swim on the backstroke leg of this relay in finals look pretty good.
hey, she was 59.06 not .20 … and is now ranked 3rd in the world
Jesus – this is an article about prelims. The 59.0 came in finals.
I think Natalie should replace the 50 free with the100 back. She won’t beat Missy but she could get second. I think the US 1:00 crew will all still be stuck at 1:00. Top 6 in 100 free is also realistic.
More bulletin board material please!
1. She used the excuse of food poisoning last year!
2. She’s getting older not faster!
3. Boy, she’ll be lucky to make the team next year!
4. Really, top 6 in 100 free is the only chance!
5. Missy swims the 100 back! Stay away!
Come on, keep it rolling. Don’t let the pretty face fool you…she hears all of this and lives off proving it wrong.
Really. I also love Natalie. But, there is no way that Missy Franklin is going to be second to anyone in the US in a backstroke event. That’s just not gonna happen Victor P.
YES! We all love Coughlin! And, while we are at it, I definitely think she should drop the 50 and try the 100 fly!!
yes yes yes! She’s still the American Record holder in SC meters! Too tough to beat those Amazonian Aussies and Swedes in the 50FR!!
She could vie for all 3 relays next year and I think would have a good chance of making all 3. Add 3 more Olympic medals to her tally.
I think she’s got a 58.5 in her if she wants it for OT in 2016.
One of the most successful and possibly unorthodox swimmers of our time, Natalie continues to do things her way. Typically focusing on sprint freestyle training usually does not produce top ranked backstroke times but that is the unconventional formula she uses. I remember when fans pondered why did she abandon the 200 Back in ’04 and ’08 but maybe doing things on her terms is what has kept her in the sport. For our country, this AM’s swim showed how naturally talented and smooth Natalie’s stroke can be. Add a legendary, beast-like work ethic and that’s why this nearly 33 year old swimmer continues to put up world class times – Natalie truly does things her way – Good luck… Read more »