University of Virginia sophomore Kate Douglass swam a pair of Pool Records on Saturday morning as the Cavaliers raced an intrasquad meet in their home pool.
Douglass swam 59.16 in the 100 breaststroke and 2:04.64 in the 200 breaststroke in mixed-gender heats. Those swims are both unofficial lifetime bests for her, improving her previous standards of 59.53 and 2:05.89.
The times are unofficial because the meet did not receive a USA Swimming sanction.
While the times also won’t be counted for NCAA purposes because they were done at an intrasquad meet, the 59.16 is her first, and fastest 100 breaststroke swim of the season, and would rank her 7th in the NCAA this year if it were in a bona fide competition. The previous Pool Record in the 100 breaststroke was set by Alexis Wenger earlier this year in 59.58.
Douglas’ 100 Breaststroke Splits:
- 1st 50 – 28.19
- 2nd 50 – 30.97
- Final Time – 59.16
Her swim in the 200 breaststroke would rank her first in the NCAA, if done in bona fide, by almost a second-and-a-half: the top 200 breaststroke so far in official NCAA competition so far this season is a 2:06.04 from Texas freshman Anna Elendt. Douglass held the previous Pool Record in the 200 breaststroke with a 2:06.98 done earlier this year.
Douglas’ 200 Breaststroke Splits:
- 1st 50 – 29.45
- 2nd 50 – 31.08
- 3rd 50 – 32.12
- 4th 50 – 31.99
Douglass’ time in that 200 breaststroke is the 17th-fastest performance in history and makes her the 7th-fastest woman in the history of that event. Those ranks are not official, because the meet was not a USA Swimming sanctioned event.
All-Time Top 10, Women’s 200 SCY Breaststroke:
- Lilly King, Indiana – 2:02.60
- Bethany Galat, Texas A&M – 2:03.26
- Kierra Smith, Minnesota – 2:03.55
- Sydney Pirckrem, Texas A&M – 2:03.65
- Emma Reaney, Notre Dame – 2:04.06
- Breeja Larson, Texas A&M – 2:04.48
- Kate Douglass, Virginia – 2:04.64 (UNSANCTIONED)
- Rebecca Soni, USC – 2:04.75
- Caitlin Leverenz, Cal – 2:04.76
- Anna Belousova, Texas A&M – 2:04.80
At the Cavaliers’ mid-season meet, the versatile Douglass didn’t swim either breaststroke event. Instead, she swam 49.73 in the 100 fly, which tied her as the 5th-best performer in the history of that event; the 200 IM in 1:50.92, which was within three-tenths of a second of the NCAA Record; and the 100 free in 47.10, an NCAA “A” cut.
Douglass finished last NCAA season ranked #1 in the country in the 200 IM, 4th in the 100 fly, and 3rd in the 200 breaststroke before the NCAA Championship meet was canceled because of the oncoming coronavirus pandemic.
Is this available on meet mobile? Anyone have a video!
Amazing swims by Kate.
Unrelated, did not realize that TAMU have 4 in the Top 10 all time in that 200 breaststroke.
Steve Bultman has built one of the best breaststroke groups in the country over the last 15 years. Not listed here: Alia Atkinson, who was the NCAA Champion in 2010 in 2:07.28. That was just before Breeja Larson rolled through and started ‘changing the game’ for women’s breaststrokes.
Steve Bultman is one of the most underappreciated coaches in American swimming. I’m not an Aggie fan, but I have mad respect for Coach Bultman.
Bultman’s been good a long time; 3 US Olympians all the way back in 1988 from club program in Pensacola.
This young lady is fantastic! How is she in long course? What are her chances of going to the Olympics?
Hasn’t raced a ton in long course recently. Best event looks like 100 fly right now. Decent chance to make Olympics.
I think her best shot has gotta be 200 IM. Ironically could be a big battle with her teammate Alex Walsh for the second spot. Margalis has been pretty dependable. Who else in that final? Baker if she swims it. Small will be there.
Huske and Curzan are gonna be tough to beat in the 100 fly, with Dahlia still our top dog until dethroned. Regan maybe.
Margalis and Baker are big favorites I think.
Gimme Douglass over Baker right now 😉
In February Baker dropped a 2:08! Douglass went her best time, a 2:12, at the US Open exactly 1 year ago. Absolutely give me Baker.
Eastin? Cox?
I think she could make the 100 fly or 200 IM!
She should go pro ASAP!
Let’s see if the league survives first.
First she needs to help UVA win a Natty!
She would destroy ISL
Thought the same thing. Wish there was an ISL lottery. DC or NY could really use her!
She’s from New York! So it would be awesome to see her rep the Breakers
She would be a huge pickup to any team! Perfect format for her to showcase her 50-200 abilities
I’d think with her flat-out speed and 200 breast that she could be at least 57 in the 100 br. Much less NCAA competition than in the fly.
Wonder what events she does at trials – she hasn’t done a real long course season since 2019 at least
Insane versatility
Right? Who has ever gone a 59 100 BR, 51 100 BK, 49 100 FLY, and a 46 100 FR. In addition to a 204 200 BR and a 150 200IM! Such an amazing swimmer
I think she could honestly make every single NCAA A cut
What about the 500/1650? Those are pretty different from 200s and below.
If Kate trained for them she could make them. She is so incredible across the board. Would love to have her back on the SSPC! I hope her short course swimming transfers over to long course because she could be a real threat come trials. I wonder how many cuts she has? Probably has to be a decent amount – 50 FR, 100 FR, 100 FLY, 100 BR, 200 BR, 200 IM – that’s 6 right there — pretty impressive! Routing for you Kate! Every step of the way! Love your NYAC family!