Phoebe Bacon is a competitive swimmer that represents the United States internationally. She is a 2021 Olympian and NCAA Champion in the 200 back.
High School
Phoebe Bacon was ranked #5 on SwimSwam’s Girls High School Class of 2020, and announced her verbal commitment to swim for Wisconsin on April 21, 2019.
2019 NCSA Spring Championships (Orlando, Florida)
Bacon had a full meet in Orlando, competing in several events across multiple strokes. She placed 2nd in the 100 IM (54.34), 2nd in the 200 back (1:50.71), 9th in the 100 breast (1:01.80), 9th in the 50 breast (28.11), 3rd in the 50 fly (23.74), 2nd in the 100 back (51.58), 2nd in the 100 fly (52.33), 1st in the 50 back (24.38), and 2nd in the 200 IM (1:57.62).
2019 US Open (Atlanta, Georgia)
To put a bow on what had been a breakout international year for her, Bacon competed at the US Open. She had said she had unfinished business in the 100 backstroke after not breaking 59 seconds during the summer, and it showed. In the final of the event, she upset world record holder Regan Smith and World Champs Medalist Olivia Smoliga by touching 1st in a time of 58.63, smashing the 59 second barrier.
2020 High School Season
At the 2020 Independent School League Swimming Championships in January, Bacon took down her first National High School record, breaking Olivia Smoliga’s 100 back record of 51.5 and touching in at 51.32. Just 2 weeks later, at the 2020 DC Metro Championships, Bacon lowered her own record again, touching at 50.89.
College (Wisconsin)
2020-2021
At the 2021 Big Ten Championships, Bacon took titles in the 100 back (51.32) and 200 back (1:50.90). She also placed 2nd in the 200 IM (1:55.55).
At her first NCAA Championships, Bacon finished 4th in the 200 IM (1:54.55) on day 1 and 3rd in the 100 back (50.39) on day 2. On the final day of the meet, Bacon asserted her dominance, touching first in the 200 back with a 1:48.32.
2021-2022
Swimming at the 2022 Big Ten Champs, Bacon defended her titles in the 100 back (51.58) and 200 back (1:51.23) as well as placed 4th in the 200 IM (1:55.64). She also swam on Wisconsin’s 3rd place 400 free relay and 4th place 200 free, 800 free, and 200 medley relays.
At her 2nd NCAAs, Bacon placed 10th in the 200 IM (1:54.39), 9th in the 100 back (50.83), and 2nd in the 200 back (1:49.29).
2022-2023
During her junior season at the 2023 Big Ten Champs, Bacon placed 2nd in the 200 IM (1:55.06) and 3rd in the 100 back (51.96). She ended up DFSing the 200 back due to illness.
At that years NCAA Champs, Bacon placed 5th in the 200 IM (1:53.56), 4th in the 100 back (50.54), and 2nd in the 200 back (1:49.28).
National/International Competition
2018 Summer Nationals (Irvine, California)
In Irvine, Bacon placed 4th in the 100 back (59.30), 9th in the 50 back (28.44), and 18th in the 200 back (2:12.09). For her finish in the 100, she earned a place on the 2018 Jr Pan Pac team and 2019 Pan American Games team.
2018 Jr Pan Pacific Championships (Suva, Fiji)
Bacon took the 100 back title in Fiji, going 59.72 to touch ahead of teammate Katharine Berkoff. She also placed 9th in the 200 back (2:10.65, 2nd fastest time of the field), and led off USA’s winning 4×100 medley relay (1:00.49).
2019 Pan American Games (Lima, Peru)
Bacon won the 100 backstroke (59.47), beating her nearest competition (Canada’s Danielle Hanus) by 0.87 seconds.
She also was a member of Team USA’s gold medal women’s 4×100 medley relay team alongside Anne Lazor, Kendyl Stewart and Margo Geer, setting a games record with a 59.02 split.
2021 Olympic Trials
After having solid swims throughout the week in Omaha, Phoebe Bacon saved her best for last, touching 2nd in the 200 back on night 7 in 2:06.46 to make her first Olympic team.
2022 World Championship Trials
On night 2 in Greensboro, Bacon rebooked her spot in the 200 back on Team USA, breaking a US Open record in finals with a huge PB of 2:05.08.
2022 World Championships
In Budapest, Bacon had strong showings throughout the prelims and semis, heading into the final as the first seed at 2:05.93. In the final, she placed 2nd overall in 2:05.12, just .04 away from a PB as well as gold medalist Kaylee McKeown.
