Regan Smith Drops 2:09.78 200 IM To Become Fastest American This Season

1ST ANNUAL SUN DEVIL OPEN

• June 2-4, 2023
• Mona Plummer Aquatic Center, Tempe, Arizona
• Long Course Meters (50m)
• Psych Sheets
• Results on Meet Mobile “2023 Sun Devil Open”

Regan Smith continues to thrive at Arizona State.

Currently in the midst of a phenomenal season that has seen her produce some of the fastest swims of her career in-season, currently holding the #2 spot in the world rankings in the women’s 100 back (57.90) and 200 back (2:04.76), Smith made further strides in an event she hasn’t seriously pursued yet in her career, the 200 IM, on Friday morning at the inaugural Sun Devil Open.

Smith, who set a lifetime best of 2:10.40 in the event at the U.S. Open in December, joined the elusive sub-2:10 club during the first session in Tempe, setting a PB of 2:09.78 in the prelims.

It’s no secret that the breaststroke leg is Smith’s weak point in the 200 IM, but relative to her previous personal best time, that’s where she made a marked improvement on Friday.

The 21-year-old split sub-40 after having gone 41-low in both of her swims at the U.S. Open—prior to the U.S. Open, her PB stemmed from March of 2020, where she split 42-mid.

Split Comparison

After previously ranking as the 18th-fastest American woman in history, Smith shoots up to 13th, and perhaps more importantly, is the fastest U.S. swimmer in the world this season, leapfrogging World Championship bronze medalist Leah Hayes (2:10.03).

All-Time U.S. Performers, Women’s 200 IM (LCM)

1. Ariana Kukors, 2:06.15 – 2009 World Championships
2. Alex Walsh, 2:07.13 – 2022 World Championships
3. Kathleen Baker, 2:08.32 – 2018 U.S. Nationals
4. Madisyn Cox, 2:08.51 – 2021 Longhorn Invite
5. Melanie Margalis, 2:08.70 – 2017 World Championships
6. Maya Dirado, 2:08.79 – 2016 Olympic Games
7. Leah Hayes, 2:08.91 – 2022 World Championships
8. Caitlin Leverenz, 2:08.95 – 2012 Olympic Games
9. Kate Douglass, 2:09.04 – 2021 Olympic Games
10. Julia Smit, 2:09.34 – 2009 U.S. Nationals
11. Katie Hoff, 2:09.71 – 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials
12. Natalie Coughlin, 2:09.77 – 2008 Janet Evans Invite
13. Regan Smith, 2:09.78 – 2023 Sun Devil Open
14. Ella Eastin, 2:09.90 – 2018 Pan Pacific Championships
15. Elizabeth Pelton, 2:10.02 – 2011 U.S. Winter Nationals

Swimming fast in-season, and more specifically, a few weeks out of a taper meet, is a philosophy we’ve seen the Arizona State coaching staff utilize with their collegiate team this past season, and it’s clear that has translated over to the pro group.

While it remains to be seen if the 200 IM is an event Smith is planning on pursuing at U.S. Nationals—she won’t have any scheduling conflicts—it’s certainly something to keep an eye on.

In addition to tonight’s 200 IM final, Smith is also entered in the 100 fly and 100 back on Saturday and the 200 fly on Sunday in Tempe.