Regan Smith Lowers 100 Back Junior World Record Again – 58.45

2019 COUNSILMAN CLASSIC

  • June 12th-15th, 2019
  • Indianapolis, Indiana (IUPUI)
  • LCM (50m) pool
  • Live Webcast
  • Results on Meet Mobile: “2019 Counsilman Classic”

After lowering her 100 back junior world record by close to three-tenths this morning at the Counsilman Classic in Indianapolis, rising American star Regan Smith took off another tenth tonight to lower it for the third time in the last month.

The 17-year-old scorched her way to a time of 58.45 tonight, improving on her prelim record of 58.55. Less than a month ago at the Bloomington Pro Series she had set the record in 58.82, improving on her 58.83 from the 2018 U.S. National Championships.

SPLIT COMPARISON (2019 SWIMS)

  • Bloomington PSS: 28.48/30.34 = 58.82
  • Counsilman Prelims: 28.46/30.09 = 58.55
  • Counsilman Finals: 28.30/30.15 = 58.45

She moves into sole second in the world this year, trailing only Kylie Masse (58.16).

Smith has now broken the record six times – seven if you include tying herself.

Taylor Ruck took down Minna Atherton‘s 2016 record of 59.34 at the 2017 World Juniors in Indianapolis, but Smith followed by going 59.11 in the final to break the record. She equalled that time leading off the women’s medley relay to tie it, and had also gone 58.95 on the mixed medley relay at the meet but that swim wasn’t recognized as an official WJR.

She then broke the record in the prelims at Nationals in 59.09, and then again in the final in 58.83 (which is still the 15-16 NAG). And now, of course, the three new records in 2019.

The swim moves her up one spot in the historical rankings, jumping from tied for eighth with Ruck to tied for seventh with 2016 Olympic champion Katinka Hosszu.

All-Time Performers, Women’s 100 Back

  1. Kathleen Baker, USA, 58.00
  2. Kylie Masse, CAN, 58.10
  3. Gemma Spofforth, GBR, 58.12
  4. Anastasia Fesikova, RUS, 58.18
  5. Emily Seebohm, AUS, 58.23
  6. Missy Franklin, USA, 58.33
  7. Katinka Hosszu, HUN / Regan Smith, USA, 58.45
  8. Taylor Ruck, CAN, 58.55
  9. Aya Terakawa, JPN, 58.70

The 58.33 on the list from Missy Franklin is actually the fastest ever swim from a junior swimmer, done at the 2012 Olympics where she won gold, but is not the junior world record due to the fact they didn’t start being recognized until 2014. Franklin’s swim is, however, the official NAG for USA Swimming in the 17-18 age group.

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Anonymous Swim Fan
5 years ago

Looking real strong this summer.

Swimmerj
5 years ago

That would have won the Olympics in 2016…

Philip Johnson
5 years ago

Sad to see Smith’s trajectory is going to be stopped when she can’t swim the 100 back at Worlds. That’s the way it is though.

ArtVanDeLegh10
Reply to  Philip Johnson
5 years ago

Why is her trajectory being stopped? She will continue to train and swim meets.

That’s like saying when the NBA finals was tied 1-1, analysts were saying that it was a must win for a team. False, it is not a must win unless a loss causes you to lose the series.

Wondering
5 years ago

WJR, but Missy swam faster?

What a stupid system….

Old Man Chalmers
Reply to  Wondering
5 years ago

The most laughable WJR is the men’s 400 free, where Mack Horton is the record holder even though Ian Thorpe owns all the NAG records and was 4 seconds faster than Horton was at 18. 3:44 is a good time for an 18 yo, but it’s far from the true WJR.

Ytho
Reply to  Wondering
5 years ago

Very sad that there are many times that arent recognized which makes WJRs less impressive.
For example, why Milak’s 1:53,7 is the WJR when he swam 1:52,7, also as a junior?

pSL1988
5 years ago

Can Regan Smith swim 100m back individually at the world championships?

Pvdh
Reply to  pSL1988
5 years ago

Smoliga and Baker are swimming the event. Smith could get a relay swim if she’s in better form than the others two

pSL1988
Reply to  Pvdh
5 years ago

That is disappointing!!. Selection process should be changed.

Anonymous Swim Fan
Reply to  pSL1988
5 years ago

It’s so disappointing that the U.S. selects it’s Worlds team the previous year.

Nswim
5 years ago

Will Smith get the nod for a relay lead off? At least on the prelims relay?

Coach Mike 1952
Reply to  Nswim
5 years ago

Depends – any word on Kathleen Baker’s rib situation? If KB cannot swim, then she would probably get the nod over Olivia Smoliga for the actual relay, not just prelims, yes?

Mike
Reply to  Coach Mike 1952
5 years ago

My guess would be a la Ryan Murphy on 2015 leading the mixed medley relay

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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