Regan Smith on 59.3 100 Back: “I’m Pretty Beaten Up” (Video)

Reported by Lauren Neidigh.

WOMEN’S 100 BACK:

  • Pro Swim Series Record: Emily Seebohm, 58.96, Santa Clara 2016
  1. GOLD: Regan Smith, 59.38
  2. SILVER: Taylor Ruck, 1:00.18
  3. BRONZE: Olivia Smoliga, 1:00.23

Junior phenom Regan Smith picked up a gold on the front end of her back-to-back double. Smith dominated the field, flipping in 29.22 en route to her 59.38 win. Canadian junior star Taylor Ruck battled Olympian Olivia Smoligafor the silver, with Ruck just out-touching a hard-charging Smoliga at the finish. Chinese 14-year-old Peng Xuwei, who won the 200 back last night, was just a few tenths back in 1:00.57 for 4th, clipping 15-year-old Isabelle Stadden (1:00.63) at the finish.

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bobo gigi
6 years ago

Hard to not be a fan of her. US women’s swimming is in very good hands for the years to come with such talented, articulate, down-to-earth and likeable young ladies like Regan Smith. Cool to see her progression throughout the years from an age group star to the birth of an international star. Best wishes for the future.

paloozas
6 years ago

super articulate person. wishing the best for her in the future!

Nah
6 years ago

Not sure a 15 year old girl is big and strong enough to know what being beaten up feels like haha, she is fast none the less

Dudeman
Reply to  Nah
6 years ago

She’s experienced enough to know what a tired and sore body feels like

Hswimmer
Reply to  Nah
6 years ago

It’s not rocket science…

IUkicker
Reply to  Nah
6 years ago

Anyone swimming at that level knows exhaustion and soreness intimately. Please, don’t underestimate her work ethic just because she is 15 or a girl.

Nah
Reply to  IUkicker
6 years ago

Any elite swimmer in their late 20’s and especially 30’s will tell you, a 15 year old kid ain’t gonna be broken down. You don’t go your best time midseason when you are “beaten down” (especially when you are already world class)

Dudeman
Reply to  Nah
6 years ago

First of all that’s not her best time in the event, second of all there’s lots of cases of elite swimmers putting up great times mid season/end of season before the major meets.

Besides that, being “broken down” is a relative term. Comparing a 15 year old to a 20-30 year old is hardly fair in this situation as the differences between the body of a young and old swimmer are very different. For where she is at in the season it is very safe to assume Regan had no extra rest for this meet and is as “broken down” as a swimmer of her age could be at this time.

joyfff
6 years ago

Such a nice young woman. Her confidence seems to have grown a ton.

Yozhik
Reply to  joyfff
6 years ago

It’s true, she is likeable. And like her coach, who is very cautious with predictions, protecting her from unnecessary media pressure.

SwimmerFan99
6 years ago

Canada had a 15-year-old girl named Jade Hannah go 59.62 LC 100BK in the summer and I NEVER thought that would be beaten by another 15-year-old.

Double arm freestyle
Reply to  SwimmerFan99
6 years ago

Regan Smith went 58.95 over the summer

nuotofan
Reply to  SwimmerFan99
6 years ago

Jade Hannah is an amazing talent, but already at Junior Worlds, last August, Regan Smith was well in front of her (59.11 vs 59.62 in the100 back final, 59.11 vs 1.00.68 in the first leg of 400 medley relay, and Regan Smith swam also her PB of 58.95 in the first leg of 400 mixed medley relay).
Regan Smith really impressive in the 100 back: swimming 59.38 now, amidst heavy training, is brilliant.
Obviously, Masse, Seebohm, Baker and so on are tough obstacles to overcome.

Carlo
Reply to  nuotofan
6 years ago

Some swimmers don’t improve much between heavy raining and taper. Those swimers swim fast during heavy training then make modest dops during taper.

Some swimmers swim very very slow in heavy training and then make big drops during taper. Every swimmer is different.

Pvdh
6 years ago

I think she’ll take the WR down this summer

das swimmer
Reply to  Pvdh
6 years ago

are you the real pvdh?

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