2023 U.S. Trials Previews: Huske Heads Up Stacked Field In Women’s 100 Fly

2023 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

WOMEN’S 100 FLY – BY THE NUMBERS:

  • World Record: 55.48, Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) – 2016 Olympic Games
  • American Record: 55.64, Torri Huske – 2022 World Championships
  • U.S. Open Record: 55.66, Torri Huske – 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials
  • 2022 U.S. International Team Trials Champion: Torri Huske, 56.28
  • World Aquatics ‘A’ Cut: 58.33

Torri Huske has stamped her authority on the women’s 100 fly in the United States over the last two years.

After breaking 57 seconds for the first time in the prelims at the Olympic Trials in 2021, Huske has really taken off and become one of the world’s best in the event. She clocked 55.66 in the Omaha final to become the third-fastest performer in history, and then after finishing a narrow fourth at the Tokyo Olympics, missing a medal by a mere hundredth, the Arlington Aquatic Club product came back with a vengeance in 2022, winning the world title and resetting her American Record in 55.64.

As we head into U.S. Nationals later this month, Huske has established herself as the clear-cut favorite, but she’ll need to be sharp with a stacked field of contenders chomping at the bit behind her.

At both the Tokyo Olympics and 2022 World Championships, Claire Curzan joined Huske in representing the U.S. in the 100 fly, and that could very well be the case again this year.

THE STANFORD DUO

Huske and Curzan were fixtures alongside one another at the 2022 World Championships, swimming in three of the same individual finals and earning medals on four relays together. A few months later, Curzan joined Huske at Stanford University for the 2022-23 collegiate season, bringing arguably the country’s top two sprinting stars together.

In one of the most competitive events in NCAA history, Huske and Curzan placed third and fourth at the 2023 NCAA Championships in the 100 fly—Huske’s swim was just over a tenth off of the all-time record entering the race—and the two have looked strong thus far in the long course season.

Huske went 56.84 at the Mission Pro Swim in May, just the second time she’s been sub-57 in-season, while Curzan was a very solid 57.26.

Curzan’s versatility in the freestyle and backstroke events might lead some to believe her focus has shifted away from the 100 fly, and while her training program has to balance three strokes across three different distances, she’s still one of the world’s best in the event and will have no scheduling conflicts at Trials.

The 18-year-old has been sub-56.5 on four separate occasions, and although her PB of 56.20 still stands from April 2021, she was close last year (56.35) and her in-season swim last month indicates she’s rounding back into 56-second form.

THE DISRUPTORS

It’s just one of those races. For swimmers good at a lot of different events, the 100 fly is seemingly one that versatile swimmers can jump into and contend on the big stage.

Huske and Curzan were the only Americans under 57 seconds last year, but we’ve already seen two other women crack the barrier in 2023: a backstroker and a sprint freestyler.

Regan Smith has been on a demolition derby throughout the 2022-23 season, showing that the move to join the Arizona State pro group was the right one as she’s produced some of the fastest times of her career in numerous events.

In what would have to be regarded as her fourth-best race, Smith ranks third in the world and tops amongst Americans in the 100 fly this season, having clocked 56.60 at the Fort Lauderdale Pro Swim in March. That was followed by her breaking the super-suited American Record in the 200 fly earlier this month.

Smith is on fire, period, especially in fly, having logged the three fastest 100 fly swims of her career in 2023 (also cracking 57 in April at 56.92), and will be right there in the battle for a Worlds spot.

The other swimmer who has emerged as a bonafide contender for a spot in Fukuoka is Gretchen Walsh, who first put her name in the mix when she won the U.S. National crown last summer in 57.44.

Walsh, who didn’t race the 100 fly at the 2022 U.S. Trials, held a PB of 57.43 from March 2021 coming into 2023, but uncorked a time of 56.73 in early June.

That immediately makes her a contender in Indianapolis, as she’s shown an improved back half, and with a full taper could find more speed pushing her into 56-low-to-mid territory. She could potentially scratch the event to focus on the 50 back, which comes two events later, but given her ability to perform doubles at NCAAs with relays, doing both shouldn’t be an issue.

KATE DOUGLASS

One of the most interesting swimmers heading into Nationals, Kate Douglass is coming off a sensational collegiate career that culminated with a sweep of all seven events (including relays) in which she contested at the Women’s NCAA Championships.

It would be hard to argue against her most impressive swim being the the 200 IM, where she smashed the all-time record by 1.71 seconds, but close behind that was the 100 fly, where Douglass went toe-to-toe with Maggie MacNeil and emerged victorious with a new NCAA, U.S. Open and American Record of 48.46.

In long course, Douglass was the Olympic bronze medalist in the 200 IM in 2021, and then emerged as one of the world’s best in the 200 breaststroke last year, winning bronze in Budapest. So where does that leave the 100 fly?

Douglass narrowly missed qualifying for the U.S. Olympic team in the event two years ago, placing third in Omaha in 56.56, 13 one-hundredths shy of runner-up Curzan.

At the 2022 Trials, Douglass was a distant fourth in the 100 fly in 58.14.

This season? Douglass has already ripped a 57.19, the third-fastest swim of her career and quickest in two years, to punctuate the fact that she’s priming for a big long course showing as she transitions out of NCAA swimming.

Her PB from the Olympic Trials ranks her third among swimmers who will be in the field next week in Indianapolis, ahead of Smith and Walsh, so there’s no doubt Douglass will be right there in the final.

U.S. Rankings, Women’s 100 Butterfly (LCM)

Active Swimmers

  1. Torri Huske, 55.64 – 2022 World Championships
  2. Claire Curzan, 56.20 – 2021 TAC Titans LC Premier
  3. Kate Douglass, 56.56 – 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials
  4. Regan Smith, 56.60 – 2023 Pro Swim Series – Fort Lauderdale
  5. Gretchen Walsh, 56.73 – 2023 NCAP Elite Qualifier

THE 16-YEAR-OLDS: SHACKELL & SHACKLEY

Two swimmers poised to make an impact in the 100 fly sooner rather than later, Alex Shackell and Leah Shackley have reached the upper echelon of the U.S. rankings despite both being just 16 years of age.

Shackell has been on a continuous upward trajectory, winning the ‘B’ final at last year’s Trials (58.78), gold at both the U.S. Junior Nationals (58.33) and Junior Pan Pacs (58.58) in the summer, and then entering a new level in May, clocking 57.63 to rank third all-time in the 15-16 age group (behind Curzan and Huske).

Shackley, on the other hand, has come out of nowhere to put herself into ‘A’ final territory. Coming into 2023 with a best time of 1:00.62 from the U.S. Open, she had four swims 59.25 or faster in May, highlighted by her 58.07 at the Renee McCutchan Invite which ranks sixth all-time in the 15-16 age group.

While it would be a tall order for either swimmer to truly challenge for a spot in the top two, they both figure to be in the 57-second range which should make things interesting in the championship heat.

THE FIELD

There are a number of other well-known names who will be in the hunt for a berth in the ‘A’ final in this event, but given how stacked things are at the top, they would need a massive breakthrough to challenge for a World Championship slot.

Kelly Pash (57.73) and Gabi Albiero (57.82) have both been under 58 seconds in their career, with Pash having also gone 57.89 this season.

Olivia Bray and Beata Nelson have both been 58.0, and Natalie Hinds and Emma Sticklen are also in the mix with sub-59 swims on their resume this year and best times in the 58.4 to 58.7 range. Dakota Luther, known for her abilities in the 200 fly, also has a 58.39 best time, as does Rachel Klinker.

Zooming out and looking at the 2022 Trials, Douglass placed fourth in a time of 58.14. This year alone, we’ve already seen nine different Americans go faster than that, and 58-low will likely be the ‘A’ final cutoff in Indianapolis.

SWIMSWAM’S PICKS

RANK SWIMMER SEASON BEST LIFETIME BEST
1 Torri Huske 56.48 55.64
2 Kate Douglass 57.19 56.56
3 Claire Curzan 57.26 56.20
4 Regan Smith 56.60 56.60
5 Gretchen Walsh 56.73 56.73
6 Alex Shackell 57.63 57.63
7 Gabi Albiero 58.03 57.82
8 Kelly Pash 57.89 57.73

Dark Horse: Abby Arens – Arens touched first in the consolation final of the 100 fly at the 2023 Women’s NCAA Championships in a time of 50.60, her third sub-51 swim of the year after entering the season with a PB of 51.62. In long course, Arens was 59.04 last July at a Sectionals meet, and produced her second-fastest swim ever, 59.50, earlier this month. A rising senior at NC State, Arens is primed to burst into 58-second territory and vie for a spot in the top eight.

See all of our selections for the 2023 U.S. Nationals with the SwimSwam Preview Index here.

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Chris
1 year ago

Kate has the chance to beat Huske. She has proven this already. She’s beaten all of them, including our olympic champ (who ironically has better underwaters). Her butterfly is long and powerful and she can get it done without the benefit of underwater swimming.

Last edited 1 year ago by Chris
liemse
1 year ago

Hard to see Regan Smith gets beaten by Curzan if she swims it.

Chris
Reply to  liemse
1 year ago

that’s a bold statement. The only benefit Regan has in that race is that she is a 2 flier so she can prob close faster.

4 kick pullout
1 year ago

1. Huske 56.03
2. Douglass 56.35
3. Smith 56.41
4. Walsh 56.45
5. Curzan 56.69

I want walsh to be second just don’t see it. Would really love to see her get an ind swim somewhere. Maybe 50 free

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
1 year ago

In terms of spreading the wealth:

W 50 BK – Berkoff, ?
W 100 BK – Smith, Curzan
W 200 BK – Smith, ?
W 50 FL – Huske, Curzan
W 100 FL – Huske, Douglass
W 200 FL – Smith, Flickinger

Everyone is happy except for whoever finishes third in the W 200 BK.

Hiswimcoach
1 year ago

I wouldn’t bet against Regan smith

Beginner Swimmer at 25
1 year ago

Huske and Walsh

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  Beginner Swimmer at 25
1 year ago

After winning the 100 FL at the 2023 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships, it would be a major disappointment for Kate Douglass to finish outside of the top two.

Chris
Reply to  Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
1 year ago

agree as long as Kate executes perfectly. Huske takes it out fast and Kate just outsplit her. Her fly is just looking extremely powerful.

jonathankkh
1 year ago

I think people are underestimating Regan. She is my pick to win this event. Her back-half will be deadly.

Chris
Reply to  jonathankkh
1 year ago

she’s awesome but i don’t see her taking down the fab 4.

Sherry Smit
1 year ago

Yes on Huske, but for second I have Walsh. Her 56.7 was incredibly fast for an in season swim, and the only reason I am betting against Curzan and Douglass is simply because of the fact that they haven’t been as fast in season. Walsh has speed and with some rest, I wouldn’t be surprised if she was out at the 50 at 25.9. Huske will be first (56.05 prediction), and Walsh second (56.42). Curzan (56.77), Douglass (57.18).

zdh
Reply to  Sherry Smit
1 year ago

Mmm I think KD will be a bit faster than 57.1. Not unimaginable predictions for Curzan and Walsh though I think both will be faster

VA Steve
Reply to  zdh
1 year ago

Her pattern is significant in-season drops at big meets. Your prediction is sound.

jeff
Reply to  Sherry Smit
1 year ago

I have Walsh for second just because I want this to be a comeback story for her and every other competitor has pretty clearer path to another individual event, but realistically it’s anyone’s game

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  jeff
1 year ago

Come back from what? Lydia Jacoby is the come back story from the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.

jeff
Reply to  Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
1 year ago

comeback from 2019 junior worlds? I didn’t even know it was really even in question whether or not Jacoby was expected to make the team this year

Last edited 1 year ago by jeff
Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  jeff
1 year ago

The 2019 World Junior Swimming Championships? Do you realize how many female swimmers won individuals medals at the 2019 World Junior Swimming Championships and have yet to qualify for the USA Swimming National Team?

Dobler
Gormley
Hook
Kozan
Nordmann
Parker
Stege
Travis

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  Sherry Smit
1 year ago

The schedule is tailor made for Kate Douglass.

2023 Phillips 66 National Championships
Kate Douglass
Day 1 – 100 FR
Day 2 – 200 BR
Day 3 – 100 FL
Day 4 – 100 BR ?
Day 5 – 50 FR

Since Kate Douglass is swimming the 200 BR, she could test her luck in the 100 BR as opposed to the 400 FR or 100 BK on Day 4 of the 2023 Phillips 66 National Championships.

WahooSwimFan
Reply to  Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
1 year ago

I suspect that how the 100 free goes could impact the balance of events for not just Douglas, but also Curzan, Huske. Top 4 make the team for the relay, and top 2 for the individual event – that means a lot of swims – and have to wonder how many other events each of these swimmers would want to add top their schedule. I think Curzan, in particular, has hurt herself in international events by having too many swims.

IMO
Reply to  Sherry Smit
1 year ago

UVA was definitely at least partially rested at the NCAP meet. That’s not exactly “in season”.

swimapologist
Reply to  IMO
1 year ago

At least. I mean, let’s be real, they almost definitely went full taper for the *checks notes* NCAP Invite a month before Trials.

Curious
Reply to  swimapologist
1 year ago

Nevermind.

Last edited 1 year ago by Curious
Jon P
Reply to  Sherry Smit
1 year ago

So, you’re predicting Regan will be over a 1/2 second off a time she’s swum this season? Hmmm.

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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