2023 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
- June 27 – July 1, 2023
- Indianapolis, IN
- Indiana University Natatorium
- LCM (50m)
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheet (updated version, 6/26)
- Live Results
- SwimSwam Preview Index
- How To Watch
- Day 1 Prelims Live Recap | Day 1 Finals Live Recap
- Day 2 Prelims Live Recap | Day 2 Finals Live Recap
- Day 3 Prelims Live Recap | Day 3 Finals Live Recap
- Day 4 Prelims Live Recap
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
- Regan Smith 57.57, 2019
- Kathleen Baker 58.00, 2018
- Olivia Smoliga 58.31, 2021
- Missy Franklin 58.33, 2012
- 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.
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.
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.)
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 ?
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
The fact 58.39 is “only” 5th all-time is astonishing.
Like, that’s really really fast.
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).
I’m thinking she moves to second or third on that list tonight.