Video interview produced by Coleman Hodges
WOMEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE – FINALS – 2015 Arena Pro Swim Series Austin
Natalie Coughlin is undoubtedly one of the best backstrokers in the history of the sport, however recently she’s been focusing on the sprint freestyles and shying away from the backstroke events.
Today, Coughlin entered the water in the 100m backstroke and showed that she still has plenty of talent in those events, turning first at the halfway point with a split-time of 29.41.
At the 50, Coughlin had about a 0.4 second lead over Oakville Aquatic Club’s Dominique Bouchard who turned in 29.84. Those two were the only swimmers under 30-seconds at the wall with 14-year-old Talyor Ruck from Scottsdale Aquatics third in 30.01. Ruck was closely followed by Katinka Hosszu who turned in 30.13.
Following that explosive start, the field begin creeping up on Coughlin who tried to hold on for the win. Bouchard continued to get closer and closer to Coughlin, and at the touch Bouchard was able to get by her by a very slim margin, clocking in at 1:00.68. Second was Coughlin in 1:00.70.
Hosszu managed to pass age-group star Ruck on the last 50 to take the bronze in a time of 1:01.00. Ruck was fourth in 1:01.25 followed by another Canadian swimmer, Danielle Hanus, in 1:01.92.
She’s awesome! I wish her continued success. I hope she can work with kids in the future. She is so positive.