How Fast Will Lilly King Swim at 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials?

Gold Medal Minute presented by SwimOutlet.comOlympic and World Champion Lilly King was SwimSwam’s 2020 U.S. Swimmer of the Year because the global pandemic did not slow her down. King crushed her competition over ISL’s second season representing the Cali Condors.

At USA Swimming’s most recent Pro Swim Series in San Antonio King swept the 100 and 200 breaststroke, but she was edged by Emily Escobedo at the Richmond Pro Swim. I have a feeling King would’ve swum faster had she been racing head-to-head with Escobedo.

WAY TOO EARLY 2021 SWIMMING PREDICTIONS

I can’t pretend to doubt King—not even a tiny bit. King dominates the field in the 100 breast at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials, inching close to her personal best at 1:04.3. She also wins the 200 breast, going out fast and holding on for 2:21.5

But who cares what I think? I wanna know what you think. Give me your best expert swimming analysis.

See Lilly King‘s  Bio here.

See Lilly King’s personal best times:

  • 100 breast – 1:04.13
  • 200 breast – 2:21.39

Follow Lilly King on Instagram here.  

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This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com, a Swimming News website.

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Amunnn
3 years ago

1:04.7 and 2:21.7 at Trial. Winning the 100 and grabbing the second spot in the 200 behind Lazor who goes 2:21.1. Lazor also grabs the second spot in the 100. She goes 1:05.4. IU wins the women’s breaststroke races

Last edited 3 years ago by Amunnn
Sam B
3 years ago

if she focuses on the 200, she can probably qualify with a silver at the trials. But at the Olympics, she can’t focus on both the 100 and 200, and she will likely be beaten by 2-3 people in the 200. What a giant Soni was!

lolololol
Reply to  Sam B
3 years ago

yes figuratively

swimfan210_
3 years ago

100: King 1:05.0, drops to 1:04.3 at the Olympics
200: Escobedo 2:21.3, Lazor 2:21.5, King 2:21.9

Gold Medal Mel Stewart
Reply to  swimfan210_
3 years ago

….interesting….

Sqimgod
3 years ago

Sun yang is my favorite women’s 200 breastroker

RMS
3 years ago

My prediction is Escobedo and Lazor represent the US in the 200 breast.

Irish Ringer
3 years ago

1:05.11
2:23.45

tea rex
3 years ago

Personally, I don’t even care to see King swim the 200. She can win up to 3 gold medals with the 100. In 2016, she was 12th in the 200 breast, then split 1:05.7 in the medley relay (after 1:04.9 flat start). Unless she’s going 2:20, I’d rather see a specialist get that spot.

JCO
Reply to  tea rex
3 years ago

If she’s one of the top 2 200 breaststrokers, then why wouldn’t she swim it? Maybe the “specialists” should do what they do and knock off King, otherwise do they really deserve the spot?

IU Swammer
Reply to  JCO
3 years ago

I don’t think tea rex is saying a specialists would **deserve** it over King if King is in the top two. I think they make a valid point that King’s medley relay performance is more important to Team USA than which 2:21. woman swims the 200. Thinking like a coach, if King hasn’t shown she can still hit the 100 in the relay after swimming the 200, then I’d rather put the other 2:21. swimmer in the 200 and save King for the relay.

I know this isn’t how the Olympics works—you earn the spot and you’re in. But purely from the prospective of maximizing Team USA potential, it makes sense to limit King unless she has a significant… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by IU Swammer
Gold Medal Mel Stewart
Reply to  JCO
3 years ago

100 and 200 breast are very, very different specialties. Being competitive in both is impressive. I do think training for the 200 breast takes away from your 100 performance…

Stewie
Reply to  Gold Medal Mel Stewart
3 years ago

Arno Kamminga on line 1…

Joe
Reply to  Stewie
3 years ago

Kosuke Kitajima is unretiring as we speak

Dee
3 years ago

Wins the 100 in 1.04.4, then misses the team in the 200 (Lazor & Escobedo make it).

About Gold Medal Mel Stewart

Gold Medal Mel Stewart

MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel's best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly. As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, …

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