Regan Smith Becomes 7th 15-Year Old Under 1 Minute in 100 Back

Regan Smith became the 7th 15-year old to break the 1-minute barrier in the long course 100 meter backstroke globally on Saturday. She swam a 59.74 to win the race at the Indianapolis Sectionals and break her own prelims record of 1:00.62 in finals. The old record was a 1:01.38 by Emily Bos from the 2009 meet.

Smith, who turned 15 in February, went out in 28.95 and came back in 30.79. Missy Franklin currently holds the National Age Group Record of 59.18.

List of 15-year olds who have gone under 1 minute (by best time):

  1. Minna Atherton, Australia, 59.37 (World Junior Record) – 2015
  2. Missy Franklin, United States, 59.56 – 2011
  3. Emily Seebohm, Australia, 59.59 – 2008
  4. Mie Nielsen, Denmark, 59.69 – 2012
  5. Regan Smith, United States, 59.74 – 2017
  6. Rachel Bootsma, United States, 59.77 – 2009
  7. Daria K. Ustinova, Russia, 59.78 – 2014

Smith trains with the Riptide Swim Team in Minnesota. Her previous-best, done at last year’s U.S. Open, was a 1:00.26.

 

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Emanuele
6 years ago

Wow, US tradition (both male and female) in baskstroke is amazing.

bobo gigi
6 years ago

Not an April Fool here. 🙂
Congrats to Regan and her coach.
Always a great accomplishment for a female backstroker to break the minute barrier.
An important step in Regan’s career. And she turned 15 only last February!
She can make a top 5 at next world trials in both backstroke events. Top 2? The 200 back is very open with Missy probably absent and Maya retired. 2.08 low should be enough to qualify. Making the top 2 to qualify for worlds in the 100 back will be tough with Kathleen Baker and Olivia Smoliga who are at their best right now but anything is possible with such a young talent who improves at a fast pace. No limits.

Meistro
6 years ago

Bootsma in 2012
Plummer 2016
Smith in 2020

Minnesota backstrokers

Freds got slack
Reply to  Meistro
6 years ago

Plummer is from Oklahoma

NEWTOSWIMSWAM
Reply to  Freds got slack
6 years ago

Yes OK native and swam HS there. Swam for U of MN; trained and coached (HS and club) in MN. His wife Erin is a medical doctor in MN. I believe he trained for Rio at NYAC. Pretty extensive MN connections.

Ferb
Reply to  NEWTOSWIMSWAM
6 years ago

Actually. I believe he trained for Rio at U of MN, while officially representing NYAC.

meistro
Reply to  Ferb
6 years ago

True, He stayed in MN

Meistro
Reply to  Freds got slack
6 years ago

The last 13 years in MN…I am going to say he is from MN now

hswimmer
6 years ago

When you’re under a minute in 100 back, you are a threat anyways.

Pvdh
6 years ago

Should be a threat as soon as this summer

SCSswammin
6 years ago

Ronald Dalmacio just went under a minute at an intrasquad meet today

bobo gigi
Reply to  SCSswammin
6 years ago

That’s a new boys’ 11/12 NAG record. It was 1.00.33 by Vinny Marciano.
His time?

SCSswammin
Reply to  bobo gigi
6 years ago

59.98 officially

bobo gigi
Reply to  SCSswammin
6 years ago

Thanks.

Markster
6 years ago

Emily Seebohm used to represent the USA? Is that true or a typo?

Coach Mike 1952
Reply to  Markster
6 years ago

And why is Missy’s 59.18 not listed in the list, but a different time altogether?

Lynn
Reply to  Coach Mike 1952
6 years ago

It’s 15 year old times. Not 15-16.

dude 2.0
6 years ago

lots of time between now and 2020, but this girl has a real, legitimate shot to make the Olympic team/medal.

Ferb
Reply to  dude 2.0
6 years ago

This girl has a real, legitimate shot to break the world record before 2020.

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Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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