Women’s 200 Backstroke – 2013 World Championship Trials – as reported by swimswam editor-in-chief Braden Keith:
The Colorado Stars’ Missy Franklin didn’t have quite the runaway in this 200 backstroke final as it looked like she could, but she did break the Meet and U.S. Open (fastest time on American soil) Records in the finals of the women’s 200 backstroke with a 2:05.68 for the win and the world-leading time.
As Franklin faded on the last 50 meters, on the back-end of this tough double, her future Cal teammate Liz Pelton clawed up to a 2:06.29 for a 2nd place finish, and thanks to Franklin’s win a spot on the World Championship team. That is Pelton’s lifetime best by over a second; she had a great NCAA Championship meet, and has been having a great long course season up to this point. Her first two races were just average (by her standards), but this 200 backstroke hit the potential that we’ve all been waiting for after she missed the Olympic Team in 2012.
Franklin and Pelton now sit as number one and number two in the world in 2013, about a second faster than any non-American has been.
So many new swimswam logo clips.
Liz is so much better this year on 200 back . Great . As BOBO said , those 2 are a lock for the best medals in Barcelona . Missy will have a heavy programm again this summer . 4 races + 3 relays .
Opinion from a big Missy fan. Don’t forget the 50 back. Based on her great meet so far she can win this race today even with Rachel Bootsma or Olivia Smoliga in the pool. As I said before the meet, yes she hasn’t the starts and the underwaters of the 2 others but she’s by far the fastest in the world between the walls.
The backstroke training sessions will be insane at Cal next season! Congrats girls! 1st and 2nd in Barcelona!