Katharine Berkoff Swims 58.39 100 Backstroke to Become Tied #5 Fastest American Ever

2023 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Day 4 Prelims Heat Sheet

During prelims Friday morning, Katharine Berkoff swam a best time in the 100 backstroke touching in a 58.39. That time places her as tied for the fifth fastest American ever in the event.

All-Time Top Americans Women’s LCM 100 Backstroke 

  1. Regan Smith 57.57, 2019
  2. Kathleen Baker 58.00, 2018
  3. Olivia Smoliga 58.31, 2021
  4. Missy Franklin 58.33, 2012
  5. Claire Curzan (2022) Katharine Berkoff (2023) 58.39

Berkoff moved up from the seventh fastest American, massing up Rhyan White, and now tying Claire Curzan. Berkoff’s previous best was a 58.61 from International Team Trials in April 2022.

Berkoff is the American Record holder in the women’s 50 back. Last night, Berkoff won the women’s 50 back, punching her ticket to Worlds. Berkoff will swim next to top seed Regan Smith tonight. Smith is the American record holder in the 100 backstroke.

At last summer’s Worlds, Berkoff won silver in the 50 backstroke. She was fourth in the 100 back at International Team Trials, missing qualifying for the event by 0.22 seconds. Tonight she will look to add the event to her lineup.

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Awsi Dooger
1 year ago

It could have been a little bit faster if she’d been straight the first 50. She was very tight to the left ropes the final 15 meters and had to adjust back to the center on the turn.

T B
Reply to  Awsi Dooger
1 year ago

100%

She rode the lane line hard the last 15 meters of the first 50:

https://www.youtube.com/live/xe7ARRLYI_A

(Scroll to 1:55:03.)

Lovetoswim
1 year ago

Anyone on here have thoughts on why Gretchen wasn’t in 100 back? She rocked it at NCAA and I thought back was her thing over fly.
And why didn’t Alex make it up to the podium for 400IM ?

iLikePsych
Reply to  Lovetoswim
1 year ago

She might not have the endurance for it in long-course? She used all 60 of the allotted 60 meters underwater in that NCAA swim lol

Not sure if there’s an official answer for Alex but many commenters noted yesterday that she’s said on podcasts that she often throws up after races

tea rex
1 year ago

The fact 58.39 is “only” 5th all-time is astonishing.
Like, that’s really really fast.

Barry
Reply to  tea rex
1 year ago

Right?? I think 58.39 is tied for 11th all-time (the non-Americans ahead of that are McKeown, Masse, Kathleen Dawson, Gemma Spofforth, Anastasia Zueva, and Seebohm). And two of those are Rome 2009 times (Spofforth and Zueva).

Snarky
Reply to  tea rex
1 year ago

I’m thinking she moves to second or third on that list tonight.

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. She also attended 2023 US Summer Nationals as well as the 2024 European Championships …

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