Swimming for T2 Aquatics, and racing in Plantation, Florida, this weekend, teenager Liz Pelton came within a hair of her American Record in the 200 yard backstroke today.
Pelton marked a 1:49.17, which just misses her 1:49.16 that was swum just under a year ago at the 2011 Maryland Swimming Championships.
That was the 4th-best time in history – the U.S. Open Record is held by British swimmer Gemma Spofforth.
This meet also marks the debut of new T2 swimmer Katie Hoff, who is back training with her old coach Yetter (and old training partner Pelton) from when they were at North Baltimore together.
Pelton not only went 1:49.1 in the backstroke, but swam a 48.2 100 free and 143.4 200 free the next day, then a 1:53.9 IM and a 51.8 100 Back the next day.
DDias, I think Ron meant fastest 18 & under all time in the 200 IM in the US as she holds the NAG record
I don’t say Elizabeth Pelton struggles in long course, I say she has great swims in yards she hasn’t yet in long course. She has great underwaters and it counts in yards. She was disappointing last year at the world championships so I’m waiting for a big meet from her. I know she has a big potential in the 200 backstroke but two years ago I thought she would swim 2.06 very soon and it didn’t happen. But she’s still young and the future is ahead of her. And agree about her 200 IM. If she works very hard her breaststroke she will be a big contender in the years to come in this race because she’s great in butterfly,… Read more »
Ron,
Pelton is the fastest under 18 200IM in US, right?
World Champion Ye Shiwen(who owns textile best), is only 15(born in 1st March, 1996)!
Pelton is the fastest 18 and under all time in the 200 IM LCM. Pretty good I’d say….and that’s not mention her backstroke!
Pelton has been 2:07.4 (LC) to rank third in the world in 2010. She swam a 2.10.02 in the 200IM a couple of months ago (also LC). She could be a dark horse in that race at trials. So she’s at least as good in long course. That’s not the issue. I think for her it’s about getting back on track and showing her best at the big moment. She’s still young and I’m sure she’ll only get better moving forward with McKeever next year at CAL.
Great swim for Elizabeth Pelton. But for me she’s always a better short course swimmer. I’m waiting for a big race in long course from her. She has the potential. She will be with Elizabeth Beisel the candidate for the second spot behind Missy Franklin in the 200 backstroke.