Katharine Berkoff Downs ACC 100 Back Record In 49.41, Moves To #3 All-Time

2022 ACC SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Reigning NCAA champion Katharine Berkoff would not be denied tonight in the women’s 100 backstroke final at the ACC Championships, staking her claim as the one to beat at nationals next month by setting a new conference record in a time of 49.41.

Going head-to-head with UVA freshman Gretchen Walsh, Berkoff was the only swimmer in the field out sub-24 (23.88) and back sub-26 (25.53) as she lowered her own ACC Record of 49.74 to win a third consecutive conference title.

Berkoff, a junior, set the previous ACC Record at last season’s NCAAs en route to winning the event. She also demolished the Conference Championship Record of 50.45 from last season by more than a full second.

Split Comparison

Berkoff, 2021 ACCs Berkoff, 2021 NCAAs Berkoff, 2022 ACCs
24.39 24.07 23.88
26.06 25.67 25.53
50.45 49.74 49.41

Berkoff is now the third-fastest performer in the event’s history, moving past Claire Curzan (49.61) and Ally Howe (49.69).

All-Time Performers, Women’s 100 Backstroke (SCY)

  1. Regan Smith, 49.16 – 2021
  2. Beata Nelson, 49.18 – 2019
  3. Katharine Berkoff, 49.41 – 2022
  4. Claire Curzan, 49.61 – 2022
  5. Ally Howe, 49.69 – 2017
  6. Maggie MacNeil, 49.76 – 2021
  7. Kathleen Baker, 49.80 – 2017
  8. Janet Hu, 49.93 – 2018
  9. Natalie Coughlin, 49.97 – 2002
  10. Courtney Bartholomew, 50.01 – 2014

Walsh, who came into the meet with a PB of 50.61, clocked 50.13 to take second and set a new best time, moving up into 15th all-time.

Over at SECs, Alabama’s Rhyan White won the title in 50.18, making Stanford’s Regan Smith (49.97) the only swimmer other than Berkoff to have been sub-50 this season. White was the runner-up to Berkoff at NCAAs last year in 50.21.

Women’s 100 Backstroke Rankings, 2021-22 Season

  1. Katharine Berkoff (NCS), 49.41 – 2022 ACC Championships
  2. Regan Smith (STAN), 49.97 – 2021 NC State Invitational
  3. Gretchen Walsh (UVA), 50.13 – 2022 ACC Championships
  4. Rhyan White (BAMA), 50.15 – 2021 Tennessee Invitational
  5. Maggie MacNeil (MICH), 50.33 – 2021 Minnesota Invitational

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UCswim
2 years ago

Here’s how much swimming has improved. I believe her Dads NCAA winning time was 48.2!

Bignowhere
Reply to  UCswim
2 years ago

I wonder if she would beat his time if she was allowed to stay under water as long as he did, before the 15 meter rule.

ACC fan
2 years ago

2024 Olympian, just like her Dad!

HOYA13
2 years ago

Coughlin still just so impressive swimming a sub-50 20 years ago

Elle
2 years ago

I think Berkoff will make the worlds team in the 100 back, and I do think she will break Reed Smith’s American Record

OldNotDead
Reply to  Elle
2 years ago

Which record of Smith’s? SCY or LCM? Or both?

Elle
Reply to  OldNotDead
2 years ago

SC

Joel Lin
Reply to  Elle
2 years ago

I think you’re right. Also rooting for Berkoff to make a team & get on the podium at Worlds. She has the ability & has bid her time. She’s ready.

Bruh
Reply to  Joel Lin
2 years ago

why the downvotes💔

Snarky
2 years ago

Bbam! No hype, just results!

Last edited 2 years ago by Snarky
G-Money Raindrops
Reply to  Snarky
2 years ago

Snarky speaks only the facts!!!

Berkoff has dirty undies.

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  G-Money Raindrops
2 years ago

And according to Snarky, Joel Lin has Cavalier undies.

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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