2016 U.S. Winter Jr Champs (West): Regan Smith Drops 51.7 100 Back in Day 3 Prelims

2016 U.S. WINTER JUNIOR CHAMPS – WEST

Day 3 prelims of the 2016 U.S. Winter Junior Championships (West) is now complete, with the 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast, and 100 back heats now in the books. Read on for highlights from this morning’s session:

Regan Smith is unreal. The 14-year-old swimmer for Riptide Swim Team posted incredibly fast times in both of her swims this moring. She got her day started by downing the 13-14 NAG Record in the 100 fly, leading prelims with a blazing 52.22. That gave her the top seed by 4 tenths, setting up a battle with Eva Merrell (52.64), who has been as fast as 52.14, for tonight’s final.

But Smith wasn’t done just yet. She turned around to race in the 100 back at the end of the session, tearing through the water on her way to a 51.70 to take another top seed for finals. That made her over a second faster than the field, as Julia Cook picked up the 2nd seed with a 52.87. Smith is the 2nd fastest 13-14 swimmer of all time in the event, and will be chasing Alex Walsh‘s NAG Record of 51.62 tonight, which she missed by just 8 hundredths in prelims.

Scottsdale Aquatic Club’s Ryan Hoffer took on a double in day 3 prelims. He first swam the 100 fly, where he blasted a 46.69 to take the top seed by a full second. Hoffer then swam the fastest prelims time in the 100 back with his 47.02, but this time by a smaller margin, as 16-year-old Noah Henry clocked an impressive 47.15 for 2nd seed.

Jeffco Hurricane’s Michael Zarian, Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics’ Alex Liang, and North Texas Nadadores’ Colter Carman set up a good battle for tonight’s 400 IM final. All 3 men were in the 3:50-range, with Zarian (3:50.21) leading the way followed by Liang (3:50.78) and Carman (3:50.91).

Additional Top Seeds:

  • Women’s 400 IM: Regan Barney, Longhorn Aquatics, 4:14.88
  • Women’s 200 free: Samantha Shelton, Mission Viejo Nadadores, 1:46.08
  • Men’s 200 free: Jack LeVant, North Texas Nadadores, 1:36.08
  • Women’s 100 breast: Zoe Bartel, Fort Collins Area Swim Team, 1:00.24
  • Men’s 100 breast: MJ Mao, Sun-Shine Aquatics, 54.51

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ct swim fan
7 years ago

The speed of these young kids is astonishing. WOW!

Marcusl
7 years ago

“Jeffco Hurricane’s Michael Zarian, Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics’ Alex Liang, and North Texas Nadadores’ Colter Carman set up a good battle for tonight’s 200 IM final. All 3 men were in the 3:50-range, with Zarian (3:50.21) leading the way followed by Liang (3:50.78) and Carman (3:50.91).”

Those are some slow 200 IM times

bobo gigi
7 years ago

I would have preferred. It’s better without English errors.

bobo gigi
7 years ago

Crazy double. I would have prefered it happens tonight because I missed it.
52.22/51.70
100 fly 15/16 NAG record/almost 100 back 15/16 NAG record
I don’t know if she can go faster in finals but her day is already very successful. I’m pretty sure she wants the 100 back record. The battle with Eva Merrell will be great. Both girls will push each other.
Last year at the same meet Regan was in 54.29 and 53.65.
Already 2.07s and 1.95s shaved in each event.
It’s cool to be young.

Hanky panky party guy
7 years ago

Yep, definitely related to Will Smith.

James
7 years ago

Anyone notice that 12 year old Claire Tuggle out of Clovis just swam a 1:50.29; or the 4th fastest 11-12 girl 200 yard free of all time? And if I am right, she doesn’t age up until some point next summer.

SwimSwim
Reply to  James
7 years ago

Yes, she doesn’t age up until early July.

nuotofan
7 years ago

Just wrote about her greatness in the 100 back and fly (also considering LCM) in the other section. Nice confirmation for a very likely absolute star in the making.

About Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh is a former NCAA swimmer at the University of Arizona (2013-2015) and the University of Florida (2011-2013). While her college swimming career left a bit to be desired, her Snapchat chin selfies and hot takes on Twitter do not disappoint. She's also a high school graduate of The …

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