McKeown Fires Off 2:04.31 200 Back To Lower Own Aussie Record

2021 SYDNEY OPEN

19-year-old Kaylee McKeown already turned heads last night at this 2021 Sydney Open, firing off a night prelim time of 2:05.55 in the women’s 200m back. However, the USC Spartan was just getting the party started, as the teen ripped a new lifetime best of 2:04.31 to check-in with a new Australian national record.

McKeown recently set the Australian national standard at the 2:04.49 she posted last November in Queensland. That result just months ago not only laid waste to her previous career-quickest of 2:05.83 , but it marked the first time an Aussie woman has ever gotten under the 2:05 barrier in the event.

Here in Sydney, McKeown further proved that result was anything but a fluke, slicing another .18 off of her record en route to topping the podium. In doing so, McKeown remains the #3 200m backstroke of all-time.

Note that splits for McKeown’s new record are not available at time of publishing.

Top Women’s LCM 200 Back Performers All-Time

  1. Regan Smith (USA), 2:03.35 2019
  2. Missy Franklin (USA), 2:04.06 2012
  3. Kaylee McKeown (AUS), 2:04.31 2021
  4. Kirsty Coventry (ZIM), 2:04.81 2009
  5. Anastasia Fesikova (RUS), 2:04.94 2009

McKeown remains atop the world rankings for the season, owning the only time under 2:05 in the world.

2020-2021 LCM Women 200 Back

KayleeAUS
McKeown
06/17
2:04.28
2Kylie
Masse
CAN2:05.4207/31
3Margherita
Panziera
ITA2:05.5603/31
4Rhyan
White
USA2:05.7306/19
5Emily
Seebohm
AUS2:06.1707/31
View Top 26»

McKeown took silver in this 2back event at the 2019 FINA World Aquatics Championships behind World Record-setter Regan Smith of the United States. Smith hit 2:03.69 for gold after producing a WR of 2:03.35 in the semifinals while McKeown posted 2:06.26 for silver in Gwangju.

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Dee
2 years ago

There is a very real argument to be made that McKeown is now favourite. She could be *the* star of Tokyo.

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Dee
2 years ago

oh, please. Regan has a second over her best time, does not even have to fully taper for Olympic Trials to make the team, and will be fully tapered for Olympics. McKeown isn’t going to do a 2:01, and that’s what it will take to beat her. The Aussies never drop significant time at the Olympics.

icecoldtakes
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn
2 years ago

Screenshotting this for posterity

Dee
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn
2 years ago

I have no doubt Regan will drop significantly, but the fact is, on 2020/2021 form, she *needs* to drop significantly.

Robbos
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn
2 years ago

Chalmers did in winning the 100 free at 18 years old, King Kyle.

Troyy
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn
1 year ago

LOL

Joel
2 years ago

Just went 58.14 in heat . On fire 🔥

Corn Pop
Reply to  Joel
2 years ago

Never been done 9 hours after a 2mins.4.3 200.

Troyy
Reply to  Joel
2 years ago

58 low becoming routine for her. 😮

Also first time under a minute for Wilson since 2017.

Last edited 2 years ago by Troyy
Casas 100 back gold in Tokyo
Reply to  Joel
2 years ago

Will she swim IMs at this meet? I’m more interested to see how fast she could go in 200 & 400 IM.

Troyy
Reply to  Casas 100 back gold in Tokyo
2 years ago

Only the 200 IM which is on Saturday (prelims).

Torchbearer
Reply to  Casas 100 back gold in Tokyo
2 years ago

More interested…is a 2:04 AND 58.14 at a minor meet not interesting enough!

Casas 100 back gold in Tokyo
Reply to  Torchbearer
2 years ago

I mean… we already know she can go 2:04 and 57 in backstrokes (not saying these times are not impressive anymore), but I think it’s likely we still haven’t seen her full potential in the IMs. If I remember correctly, her current 2 IM pb was done in the same session with a 2:05 2 back.

Troyy
Reply to  Casas 100 back gold in Tokyo
2 years ago

I agree with you. The 400 IM was also set after going 57 in 100 back. Given her individual stroke PBs it seems like both the IMs should be faster.

Marklewis
2 years ago

Seebohm swam a 2:07.0 in the same race.

It looks like it’s a battle between the Aussies, Canadians and Americans plus Panziera of Italy.

Verram
Reply to  Marklewis
2 years ago

I wonder what’s happened to Minna Atherton .. she seems to have dropped off this season.. not a good season to drop off

Gheko
Reply to  Verram
2 years ago

Saving herself for trials maybe, who knows could be injured?

Hswimmer
2 years ago

Niceee let’s see if regan will answer back. She looked like she had some speed in thag 2 fly Hope her 100/200 back is good

Torchbearer
Reply to  Hswimmer
2 years ago

Whatever happens- we have a race on our hands in 2 months! 🙂

Hswimmer
Reply to  Torchbearer
2 years ago

Sure do

Robbos
Reply to  Torchbearer
2 years ago

Exactly, Smith v McKeown, probably the 2 most in form female swimmers go head to head.

MX4x50relay
Reply to  Robbos
2 years ago

Right!! And they can probably both handle their share of events and drop because they’re young. It’ll be really interesting

Corn Pop
Reply to  Robbos
2 years ago

Kaylee has been in form since November across Back & IM. Regan had promising fly in 2020 but her best back is back in 2019. Tomorrow may be different but we can only work on what is now , so no .

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Torchbearer
2 years ago

If you call a body-length win a “race” in the 200.

BKP
2 years ago

Even more! 🤯

PFA
2 years ago

Yeah 100 back is going to be very interesting to watch now.

Last edited 2 years ago by PFA
MX4x50relay
Reply to  PFA
2 years ago

Both of the backstrokes for that matter

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Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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