Maggie MacNeil Posts 49.76 100 Backstroke, Moves to #7 All-Time

2021 NCAA WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Leading off the 400 medley relay, Michigan’s Maggie MacNeil threw down a time of 49.76 in the 100 backstroke. 

With her swim, MacNeil sliced .3 off of her best time of 50.04, which previously made her the 11th fastest performer of all time. She now catapults herself ahead of the likes of Olivia Smoliga, Kathleen Baker, and Natalie Coughlin, becoming the 4th fastest performer of all time. 

Top-5 All Time Performers: Women’s 100 Backstroke

    1. Regan Smith 49.16
    2. Beta Nelson 49.18
    3. Ally Howe 49.69
    4. Maggie MacNeil 49.76
    5. Kathleen Baker 49.80

In addition, MacNeil’s time stands at the 9th fastest performance of all time and makes her only the second woman to ever break 50 seconds in both the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly, joining Regan Smith who broke the barrier last weekend. Smith deferred her freshman season at Stanford to prepare for the Olympic Trials at home in Minnesota.

MacNeil’s time stands as the fastest time in the NCAA this season by a half second. However, she will not be contesting the event individually as she already competed in the 50 freestyle, and is entered to swim the 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly later in the weekend.

MacNeil represents Canada internationally and was the 2019 World Champion in the 100m butterfly. She also holds the fastest time in history in the 100 yard butterfly. 

 

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Go Canada
3 years ago

Awesome swim and an awesome swimmer at 21 years old!! You would swear that all Canadian females are trained to peak at 15!

Terry Watts
3 years ago

She didn’t just throw it down. She threw it down and stomped all over it!

BearlyBreathing
3 years ago

Coughlin’s performances 20 years ago seem even more impressive now.

PFA
3 years ago

Just like how townley broke 1:31 I think this is start of something similar first it was Regan now it’s Maggie under 50 in both.

USA
Reply to  PFA
3 years ago

She’ll be the first under 23 in both 50s

Waader
Reply to  PFA
3 years ago

I don’t think Regan really broke down the barrier for MacNeil. Time difference is just too short. Also I don’t really think it works the same as breaking one time barrier in one event.

Admin
Reply to  Waader
3 years ago

Yeah I think Maggie had the 49 in her already, and it was kind of inevitable…

About Nicole Miller

Nicole Miller

Nicole has been with SwimSwam since April 2020, as both a reporter and social media contributor. Prior to joining the SwimSwam platform, Nicole also managed a successful Instagram platform, amassing over 20,000 followers. Currently, Nicole is pursuing her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. After competing for the swim …

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