Regan Smith Breaks 15-16 National Age Group Record Without Best Time

2017 COLLEGE CHALLENGE

  • Saturday, October 21-Sunday, October 22
  • Uytengsu Aquatics Center, Los Angeles, CA
  • 25 yards
  • USA Roster
  • Pac-12 Roster
  • Live Results
  • Results on Meet Mobile as “2017 College Challange” (sic)

While most of the participants at this week’s USA vs. Pac-12 College Challenge meet are just ramping up their new seasons, 15-year old Regan Smith is already in mid-season form. As an encore to her spot as the youngest member of the United States’ team at the World Championships last summer, Smith swam a 51.30 in the 100 yard backstroke on Sunday.

While not a personal best for her, it is the fastest she’s been since her 15th birthday, and is the fastest swim ever done by an athlete in the 15-16 age group. The old record was done by a fellow Minnesotan, and eventual Olympic gold medalist, Rachel Bootsma in 2010. That year, she swam a 51.53.

Smith was already #2 in the age group – having been 51.66 on a relay leadoff on Saturday. This is her first competitive meet since Worlds, though she did race at a Riptide intrasquad event in September.

Smith’s best time is a 51.09, which is the 13-14 record. In spite of only being a high school sophomore, Smith is already swimming times even at early-season meets that would have qualified her for the A-final at last year’s NCAA Championship meet.

Smith’s other results in this meet:

  • 400 medley relay (leadoff) – 1st place
  • 200 backstroke (1:51.30) – 2nd place
  • 800 free relay – 2nd place
  • 100 back (51.30) – 2nd place
  • 200 fly (1:55.02) – 2nd place

 

In This Story

37
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

37 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
OG Swimmer
6 years ago

Walsh versus Smith. Bottom line is, who gets the job done on the big stage? A lot of swimmers do really great times at State and local meets. But, who did the job at the World Championship Trials, who races the best in the USA? NCAA’s D1 is no State or local meet.

djalbertson
6 years ago

That is incredible!

tea rex
6 years ago

Another notable swim from the College Challenge:

Molly Hannis 25.51 breaststroke split.
The fastest-ever 50 br split I can find is Lilly King, 25.55 2017 B1G Champs.

Steve Swims
6 years ago

I called it. She peaked.

Science Geek
Reply to  Steve Swims
6 years ago

???

paloozas
Reply to  Steve Swims
6 years ago

she’s far from peaking lol

Zanna
6 years ago

She’s so good long course and short course. Any college will be lucky to have her.

coach
Reply to  Zanna
6 years ago

Smith already wanna goto Stanford
its been her dream school foreva

u can ask her bffs Nordmann Bartel & Forde
game over everybodys ? ? ?

CALSWIMGUY
Reply to  coach
6 years ago

I thought Stanford didn’t admit students who are home schooled? Or is that not the case?

sccoach
Reply to  coach
6 years ago

I’d love it so much if the swimswam poster “Coach” is Greg Meehan

Domino
Reply to  sccoach
6 years ago

Haha that would be awesome. Just trolling us all.

coach
Reply to  Domino
6 years ago

i only wish i can be coach like da Greg Meehan lol
he da best coach eva 4 develop recruits 2 Olympians

h8ters will always h8te
go check my old posts

told ya long ago Ruck Bartel Tankersley Raab Nordmann Goeders Fackenthal
they da best all comin 2 da best school & top swim program in da hole country

Merell & Lee wanna come 2 Stanford
but da AO 2 tough on da 2 recruits

anotha huge tip 4 u all & u can thank me l8ter
Raab already talkin 2 Walsh & its lookin good

Sccoach
Reply to  coach
6 years ago

Thanks for the info Greg

GoCard
Reply to  Sccoach
6 years ago

Smith and Walsh coming to the Farm? This is really great news! There I was thinking nothing could top our incredible 2018 class 🙂 All hail Greg and Tracy!

SwimmerSam
Reply to  Zanna
6 years ago

Any college would be lucky to have either athelete on their squad. Super talented individuals.

tea rex
6 years ago

She’s fast.

Jennifer
6 years ago

What about her 2nd place in the 200 fly today?

ArtVanDeLegh10
Reply to  Braden Keith
6 years ago

Maybe the question was what’s the NAG record in the 200 Fly since 1:55 is quick for a 15 year old.

cynthiacurran
Reply to  Braden Keith
6 years ago

Still not bad.

AzCat
Reply to  Braden Keith
6 years ago

It wasn’t included in her events when the question was asked

Anonymous
6 years ago

What’s the 200 back NAG?

paloozas
Reply to  Anonymous
6 years ago

for 15-16 girls, 1:50.66 kylie stewart

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

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, …

Read More »