Easy come, easy go. Regan Smith of the South Metro Storm has broken a three-hours-old National Age Group Record in the 11-12 girls 100 yard backstroke.
Just a few hours after Alexandra Walsh broke the record in Connecticut with a 55.31, Smith led off the South Metro Storm’s 400 medley relay at the Minnesota Age Group Short Course State Meet. She split a 55.20 as her team placed 2nd behind the Aquajets Swim Team in the race.
That swim improved upon the 55.90 she swam in the individual event final earlier in the meet. She split very similarly to Walsh, and was just a hair faster on each length.
- Walsh’s Saturday night splits: 27.16/28.15 = 55.31
- Smith’s Saturday night splits: 27.09/28.11 = 55.20
Much like Lasco vs. Marciano in the boys’ 11-12 backstrokes, another cross-LSC rivalry is developing in the girls’ between Walsh and Smith. This seems as good of a reason as any to institute an age group national championship in the United States, to see some of these great young swimmers battle all the way up until the Junior National and eventually college level.
The record coming into the day was a 55.68 held in a tie by Janet Hu from NCAP (then Curl Burke) and Kathleen Baker from SwimMAC Carolina.
Don’t forget Nicole Olivia of Santa Clara – her big meet is yet to come at Far Westerns April 3-6
Regan just swam a 204.10 in 200 back and she looked like she had a lot more to give. Look forward to finals tonight.
Regan Smith has never had a burrito. She was weened on P2Life.
Can someone tell us what are her other performances at this meet? Thank you.
Ok. On swimming world they say she has also swum 56.19 in the 100 fly and 1.53.61 in the 200 free.
Well. She’s closer and closer to the 100 fly NAG record of 55.51 owned by Ella Eastin.
And her freestyle is improving a lot as well.
Regan Smith is 6’4″ and has a pool in her backyard.
AMAZING!
55.20! And she just turned 12.
But it’s not even surprising coming from Regan Smith!
I write here on swimswam for almost 2 years that SHE’S A FUTURE SWIMMING LEGEND!
WATCH OUT MISSY! REGAN IS COMING!
SMASH…
Even Hulk has his limit of smashes… These kids are wearing me out.
Yes. All these records! 🙄
I see numbers everywhere! 😆
HULK SWIM, you need to save some of your smashes for the upcoming NCAA, pan pacs/world trials, pan pacs, youth only pics.
Considering that Regan Smith just turned 12 in February, and has dropped four seconds in the past year, I expect that she will lower the record to the 53’s before she turns 13. But maybe she will surprise me and go 52.
Congratulations, Regan! Keep SHINING!