McKeown Blasts 2:05.55 200 Back Prelim At Sydney Open

2021 SYDNEY OPEN

While competing on day 1 of the 2021 Sydney Open in her native Australia, 19-year-old Kaylee McKeown casually put up the 11th fastest 200m backstroke performance of all-time.

Racing in the evening prelims of this 4-day meet, McKeown of USC Spartans fired off a big-time result of 2:05.55, claiming lane 4 by well over 7 seconds.

Opening in 1:01.43 and closing in 1:04.12, McKeown’s sub-2:06 effort here is already just a second off of her world-leading 2:04.46 from last November. That lifetime best not only checked in as the new Australian record, but it also rendered the Aussie teen as the world’s 3rdf fastest performer all-time.

McKeown still has the final yet to go here in Sydney, with those taking place in the morning to mimic the timing of nighttime prelims and AM finals that will be at this summer’s Olympic Games.

Additional Notes:

  • Freestyle ace Jack McLoughlin got it done for the top spot in the men’s 400m free in 3:51.45, holding a slight advantage over UWSC’s Zac Incerti‘s 3:51.57.
  • Olympic medalist Emma McKeon topped the women’s 50m fly field in 26.21, with 3 women getting under 27 in the prelim.
  • The men’s 200 fly saw Nic Brown churn out a night swim of 1:59.33, giving him the pole position ahead of Bowen Gough (1:59.89) and Matthew Temple (1:59.93), the only other sub-2:00 swimmers of the field.
  • Chelse Hodges put up a strong swim in the women’s 100m breaststroke, stopping the clock in 1:06.76. That sliced .16 off of her previous season-best of 1:06.92 from the Queensland Championships last December.
  • Matt Wilson turned in a 50m breast prelim swim of 27.85 to lead the field.
  • Cate Campbell scorched a 100m free time of 53.15 to claim lane 4 just .18 ahead of McKeon who doubled up on the 50m fly with a 100m free outing of 53.33. Madi Wilson of Marion also produced a mark under 54 seconds in the prelim, rounding out the top 3 in 53.51.
  • 30-year-old James Roberts of Somerset posted 49.64 to lead the men’s 100m free field, while Incerti was next in 49.71. New Zealand’s Michael Pickett hit 49.77 while Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers is in the mix with a night prelim result of 49.90.
  • The women’s 400m IM saw Hunter’s Meg Bailey post 4:43.13, while kiwi Andrew Jeffcoat leads the men’s 50m back in 25.21.

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Robbos
2 years ago

She back end the swim tonight again, amazing swim.

STRAIGHTBLACKLINE
2 years ago

Kaylee McKeown didn’t swim the 400IM here or at the Australian Championships. I hope she swims it at the Olympics given she has been the fastest in the world over the past 12 months with 4.32.73. We all know the 400IM is a tough event but the Olympic schedule falls perfectly for her. The 400IM final is on the first morning and in her other events the finals are on day 3(100BK), day 4(200IM) and day 7(200BK). It wouldn’t be easy but for a young and fit athlete it should be manageable.

Troyy
Reply to  STRAIGHTBLACKLINE
2 years ago

The 400 IM actually fits into her schedule better than the 200 IM.

Troyy
2 years ago

McKeown 2:04.31!

Joel
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

Australian and commonwealth record . And Australian all comers

Troyy
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

Diffferent pacing to her previous best:

New: 1:00.90/1:03.41
Old: 1:01.65/1:02.84

Robbos
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

What a swimmer, going to be a great race between McKeown & Smith in Tokyo.

Miss M
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

Looking good! Seebohm in 2:07:06 also impressive.

Troyy
2 years ago

Cylde Lewis scratched the C final after only going 50.55 in the prelims. What’s going on with him?

Troyy
2 years ago

McKeon just sent a warning shot: 52.29

Joel
2 years ago

I have great anticipation for Tokyo 👍

Miss M
2 years ago

Can we have an article for the finals?

Troyy
2 years ago

McKeon negative split her 100 free: 26.97/26.36

Corn Pop
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

And still was only 3.5secs being Kyle .

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