2021 U.S. OLYMPIC SWIMMING TRIALS
- When:
- Wave I Dates: June 4-7, 2021
- Wave II Dates: June 13-20, 2021
- Prelims: 10am CDT | Finals: 7pm CDT (8PM finals on Friday & Saturday)
- Where: CHI Health Center / Omaha, Nebraska
- 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifying Cuts
- Wave I & II Event Order
- LCM (50m)
- Day 6 Finals Live Stream
- Psych Sheets
- Wave II Live Results
- Day 6 Finals Heat Sheet
Reported by James Sutherland.
WOMEN’S 200 BREAST FINAL
- World Record: Rikke Moller Pedersen (DEN) – 2:19.11 (2013)
- American Record: Rebecca Soni – 2:19.59 (2012)
- US Open Record: Rebecca Soni (USA) – 2:20.38 (2009)
- World Junior Record: Viktoriya Zeynep Gunes (TUR) – 2:19.64 (2015)
- 2016 Olympic Champion: Rie Kaneto (JPN) – 2:20.30
- 2016 US Olympic Trials Champion: Lilly King – 2:24.08
- Wave I Cut: 2:33.29
- Wave II Cut: 2:30.49
- FINA ‘A’ Cut: 2:25.52
- Annie Lazor (MVN), 2:21.07
- Lilly King (ISC), 2:21.75
- Emily Escobedo (COND), 2:22.64
In undoubtedly the most emotionally-charged finish of the meet, training partners Annie Lazor and Lilly King went 1-2 in the women’s 200 breaststroke to officially punch Lazor’s ticket to Tokyo, with the 26-year-old claiming the win in a time of 2:21.07.
That showing falls just three-tenths shy of Lazor’s best time, set in 2019, and propels her into third in the world this season.
King took it out early, grabbing the lead with a 31.66 opening 50, but Lazor, Emily Escobedo and Bethany Galat stalked her down the second lap, and at the 100 turn, it was a four-way scrap.
Lazor blew by everyone on the third 50, splitting 35.97, and then extended the gap coming home for the victory.
King made a big push on the last length, pulling away from Escobedo and Galat to snag second in 2:21.75 and add a second event to her Tokyo schedule. This is King’s first “loss” in an Olympic Trials final, having gone 3/3 up until this point (I don’t think she minds).
King added a few tenths to her best of 2:21.39, set in May of 2019.
Escobedo and Galat, both 25, split the race almost identically, with Escobedo edging her on the last 50 to take third in 2:22.64, just off her PB of 2:22.00 set at the 2019 U.S. Open. Galat, who was a best of 2:21.77 in 2017, took fourth in 2:22.81.
The fourth-place time this year would’ve won the 2016 final by more than a second.
And I am going to miss her from racing. Incredible career and I’ll always remember the amazing summer of 2017 she had. Best of luck in whatever the future holds for her.
You will not find a better person than Bethany! Well done.
What an amazing career and a key part of A&Ms rise to claim a place among the elite teams. Galat is a real fighter. Tough and fearless…and sweet. Always loved watching her compete. You always knew she would give her all and exit the pool with a big smile.
Great job. Love to watch her compete.
Well said. That is what sport is all about.