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

Smith, March 2020 Smith, 2022 U.S. Open (prelims) Smith, 2022 U.S. Open (final) Smith, 2023 Sun Devil Open
27.77 27.91 27.64 27.64
59.69 (31.92) 59.85 (31.94) 59.25 (31.61) 59.23 (31.59)
1:42.25 (42.56) 1:41.04 (41.19) 1:40.47 (41.22) 1:39.17 (39.94)
2:13.18 (30.93) 2:11.66 (30.62) 2:10.40 (29.93) 2:09.78 (30.61)

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

2022-2023 LCM Women 200 IM

SummerCAN
McIntosh
03/30
2:06.89 WJR
2Kate
Douglass
USA2:07.0907/01
3Kaylee
McKeown
AUS2:07.1905/12
4Alex
Walsh
USA2:07.8907/01
5Yu
Yiting
CHN2:08.3405/02
6Regan
Smith
USA2:08.4806/02
7Sydney
Pickrem
CAN2:08.6103/30
8Jenna
Forrester
AUS2:08.9807/24
9Marrit
Steenbergen
NED2:09.1604/08
10Anastasya
Gorbenko
ISR2:09.2805/21
11Sara
Franceschi
ITA2:09.3006/25
12Katie
Shanahan
GBR2:09.4004/08
View Top 26»

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.

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Chris
1 year ago

Jesus- that’s quick. I still don’t think she will be able to take down Douglass, Hayes, and Walsh. But, she is certainly capable. Probably wouldn’t bother swimming that at a big meet of consequence

Swim2win
Reply to  Chris
1 year ago

She just went a 2:08.4. She absolutely has business swimming it

Jimmyswim
Reply to  Chris
1 year ago

She’s half a second faster than Douglass and Hayes’s PB’s

Swimfan27
1 year ago

Alex Walsh just went a 1:57.84 in the 200 free, Gretchen a 56.73 100 fly!

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  Swimfan27
1 year ago

After Katie Ledecky, the W 200 FR looks wide open for the five remaining spots at the 2023 Phillips 66 National Championships.

Wow
1 year ago

2:08.4 in the final !!!

Chris
Reply to  Wow
1 year ago

wow

Swim2win
Reply to  Wow
1 year ago

Bowman has finally funneled that Phelps magic into multiple athletes! That training atmosphere at Tempe must be nuts. Wonder is Phelps ever drops by

Swimfan27
1 year ago

She just went a 2:08.48!!!

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  Swimfan27
1 year ago

Holy crap!

Regan Smith
2023 Phillips 66 National Championships
Day 1 – W 200 FL
Day 2 – W 200 BK
Day 3 – W 100 FL
Day 4 – W 100 BK
Day 5 – W 200 IM

Time to add the W 200 IM to the event schedule.

Lap Counter
Reply to  Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
1 year ago

But you have to look at World line up and add in semis and relays to see if too heavy of a schedule for her and coach!

Pool
1 year ago

Anyone have a video of prelims or finals?!

whoisthis
1 year ago

2:08.48 in finals 27.45 31.29 39.67 30.07

Summer is Titmus’ Sleep Paralysis Demon
Reply to  whoisthis
1 year ago

She should drop the 2fly and focus on this instead 🙂

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  whoisthis
1 year ago

How is the 400 IM coming along?

Swim2win
Reply to  whoisthis
1 year ago

Holy crap

Wowo
1 year ago

208 tonight

PhillyMark
Reply to  Wowo
1 year ago

2:08.48

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  Wowo
1 year ago

Lottery numbers, please.

TCC
1 year ago

Walsh just went 56.7 fly. Things are heating up all over.

Swimfan
Reply to  TCC
1 year ago

What meet?

Swammer22
Reply to  Swimfan
1 year ago

2023 NCAP elite qualifier on meet mobile

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  Swammer22
1 year ago

NCAP, home of Katie Ledecky.

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  TCC
1 year ago

Which Walsh?

Chris
Reply to  TCC
1 year ago

Alex?

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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