Kelsi Worrell inches closer to American record with 4th-fastest 100 fly in history: 50.17 at ACC finals

Kelsi Worrell continues her march to the top of the all-time 100 fly standings, putting up the 4th-fastest swim in history with a 50.17 to win the ACC Championship.

Worrell hit the 5th-fastest swim of all-time in prelims, going 50.38. Tonight’s swim leapfrogs’ Natalie Coughlin‘s 2007 swim and sits behind only Coughlin’s American record and two Rachel Komisarz performances in the all-time rankings.

Best women’s 100-yard butterfly performances in history

1. Natalie Coughlin – 50.01 (2002 NCAA Championships)
T-2. Rachel Komisarz – 50.10 (2007 Winter Nationals)
T-2. Rachel Komisarz  – 50.10 (2007 Winter Nationals)
4. Kelsi Worrell – 50.17 (2015 ACC Championships) – finals
5. Natalie Coughlin – 50.23 (2007 Winter Nationals)
6. Kelsi Worrell – 50.38 (2015 ACC Championships) – prelims
7. Natalie Coughlin – 50.39 (2011 Winter Nationals)
8. Dana Vollmer – 50.44 (2011 Arena Invitational)
9. Amanda Sims – 50.49 (2011 NCAA Championships)
10. Natalie Coughlin – 50.62 (2003 NCAA Championships)

That continues a meteoric rise for Worrell, who has blossomed at Louisville and is now one of the nation’s top all-around butterflyers.

Worrell pushed the front half a bit more tonight than she did this morning, and came home in almost an identical second-50 split:

• Prelims: 23.68/26.70 = 50.38
• Finals: 23.43/26.74 = 50.17

The SEC final last night provided some potential challenges to Worrell at NCAAs, including Texas A&M’s Beryl Gastaldello (50.87). But Worrell has to be considered the favorite to win the national championship, and fans are no doubt hoping she can summon up another couple tenths to perhaps break Coughlin’s 13-year-old American record and become the first woman ever under 50 seconds.

You can find our full ACC Championships coverage for Day 3 finals here.