2016 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS
- Sunday June 26th-Sunday July 3rd, 2016
- Century Link Center – Omaha, Nebraska
- Friday-Sunday – Prelims – 11:00 am EDT  Finals – 7:45 pm EDT
- SwimSwam Preview Links & Schedule
- NBC Televison Coverage Schedule
- Psych Sheets
- Tuesday heat sheets
- Live results
Olivia Smoliga of Georgia and the Athens Bulldogs Swim Club became the third-fastest female American 100 backstroker in history today with her win in the women’s 100 back. Smoliga took the event in 59.02.
With this swim, she bypassed Hayley McGregory‘s suit-era 2008 59.11 swim for the number three American in history rank. Below are the top seven American performers in history:
- Missy Franklin: 58.33 (2012)
- Natalie Coughlin: 58.94 (2008)
- Olivia Smoliga: 59.02Â (2016)
- Hayley McGregory: 59.11 (2008)
- Margaret Hoelzer: 59.21 (2008)
- Elizabeth Pelton: 59.27 (2013)
- Kathleen Baker: 59.29 (2016)
At the 50, it was actually Kathleen Baker of SwimMAC who held the lead with 28.68 to Smoliga’s 28.86, but Smoliga made a huge charge into the finish, capping off the race with 30.16. Baker’s final split was 30.61 for a total of 59.29.
Baker’s performance ranks her the seventh-fastest American all-time.
Both pulled out a victory over a packed field, including the number one and two Americans in history, Missy Franklin and Natalie Coughlin, who finished seventh (1:00.24) and eighth (1:00.48), respectively.
Smoliga now sits fourth in the world rankings.
2015-2016 LCM Women 100 BACK
SEEBOHM
58.34
| 2 | Katinka HOSSZU | HUN | 58.45 | 08/08 |
| 3 | Mie NIELSEN | DEN | 58.73 | 05/19 |
| 4 | Kathleen BAKER | USA | 58.75 | 08/08 |
| 5 | Kylie MASSE | CAN | 58.76 | 08/08 |
This will be both Smoliga and Baker’s first Olympic Games.
Hayley did not have the illegal suit in 2008. She didn’t get her first one until 2009 so her swim was not a suit era swim.
Hayley didn’t start racing in the illegal suits until 2009 so her time was not a suit era time.
HOT TAKE: Could see ’em both getting on the podium.
Congrats to both Smoliga and Baker!!
I LOVE YOU, OLIVIA!!!! CONGRATS TINY!
Not to be negative or take anything away from Olivia’s remarkable swim here, but if Seebohm is able to do a 38.3 in Rio, the US 400 Medley will be well behind Australia after the backstroke, and with one of the Campbell sisters on anchor the US will need amazing swims out of our breast and fly swimmers to win the gold. Perhaps Olivia/Kathleen can manage sub-59 in Rio to keep things close?
Yes, the US will be REALLY behind if she goes 38.3!!
LOL! Yeah, I don’t think we’d be able to catch up more than 20 seconds! Duh, 58.3! 🙂
Its .7 in back and ?? in free adv to aussies and .9 BR and .5 in fly adv usa. it comes down to a sub 53 100 free needed for usa. This needs Swimswam to do a formal analysis after the 100 free is done. USA vs China vs Australia
US “paper” advantage on fly is 0.4 rather than 0.5. Both Campbells have “repeat form” of sub52 relays splits, actually 51mid splits so it will most likely need more than just sub53 splits from the US anchor but something well below. At this point, that looks a significant question mark with the current US standard being north of 53.5. Maybe we’ll see someone change that scenery at this meet but they are coming from a long way back.
Then again, races AREN’T won on paper. Both AUS & US had legs that misfired terribly in Kazan ….. and they paid the price. CHN has no world leaders on any leg but were the most even in Kazan. Both US &… Read more »
If we are going to use Cambells flying starts then we can use Seebohm’s 58.8 and Mckeon’s 57.6 relay splits from last summer also?And i can use Vollmer’s sub 56 former WR cause she has been that fast in the past.
Use the 2016 trial times. Except I will give Seebohm credit for being faster than her recent trials swim. I am not convinced Vollmer fully rested either this week.
Here’s what I can see happen for the relay:
Australia:
Seebohm – 58.5
Bohl – 1:05.9
McKeon – 56.5
C. Campbell – 51.8
3:52.7
US:
Smoliga – 59.0
King – 1:04.8
Worrell/Vollmer – 56.1
Ledecky (and depends on the winner in the 100 at OTs) – 52.8
3:52.7
As evident, the two countries have very different strengths and will be a close race.
Seebohm can definitely can be faster but historically, she performs better individually.
2012 Olympics: Individual – 58.68 (58.23/58.39 in prelims/semis) Relay – 59.01
2013 WC: Individual – 59.06 Relay – 59.40
2014 Pan Pac: Individual – 58.84 Relay – 59.44
2015… Read more »
depth could be a factor if Mckeon or Bohl are off their game there is no replacement.
I had the privilege of swimming against Olivia a few times in high school (her high school was in the same league as mine), and it was always exciting getting to see her swim. So proud of her for making it to Rio! Good luck, Olivia!
Wasn’t Rachel Bootsma 59.10 during semis at trials in 2012?
She was.