Torri Huske and Regan Smith Become #3 and #5 100 Fly Performers Ever, But Smith Misses Paris

2024 U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS

WOMEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY – FINAL

  • World Record: 55.18, Gretchen Walsh (USA) – 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials
  • American Record: 55.18, Gretchen Walsh – 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials
  • U.S. Open Record: 55.18, Gretchen Walsh (USA) – 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials
  • World Junior Record: 56.20, Claire Curzan (USA) – 2021 TAC Titans Premier Invitational
  • 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials Champion: Torri Huske, 55.66
  • 2024 Olympic Qualifying Time: 57.92
  1. Gretchen Walsh (NAC), 55.31
  2. Torri Huske (AAC), 55.52
  3. Regan Smith (TXLA), 55.62
  4. Claire Curzan (TAC-NC), 57.47
  5. Kelly Pash (TXLA), 57.72
  6. Beata Nelson (UN-WI), 57.80
  7. Lillie Nordmann (ALTO), 57.92
  8. Emma Sticklen (TXLA), 58.44

The women’s 100 fly final at the 2024 U.S. Olympic trials lived up to the hype, with some of the fastest times in history being thrown down. World record holder Gretchen Walsh was the winner, putting up a time of 55.31 that is just 0.13 seconds off of her record from Saturday night. Her time was also the second-fastest performance in history. She qualified for her first-ever Olympic games with that time.

Behind Walsh in second was Torri Huske, who dropped 0.12 seconds off her best time of 55.64, which had previous stood as the American Record before trials. She moves up to become the third-fastest performer of all-time, behind Walsh and Sarah Sjostrom. Huske will likely qualify for her second consecutive Olympic games in the 100 fly.

But the craziest story from this race is that of Regan Smith, who went a best time of 55.62 to become the fifth-fastest performer of all-time, and yet she still finished third to miss the Olympic team in the event. Smith will still have plenty of chances to qualify for Paris, as she’s the heavy favorite to win the 200 fly and both backstroke events, but her missing the 100 fly with that fast of a time is a testament to the sheer American depth in the event.

Smith’s previous best time was 55.92, set during the semi-finals of Olympic trials. She came into the meet with a personal best of 56.26 from a month ago. Smith was smiling after the race, having dropped significant time with her best events yet to come.

All Time Top Performers, Women’s 100-Meter Butterfly (LCM):

  1. Gretchen Walsh, United States — 55.18 (2024)
  2. Sarah Sjostrom, Sweden — 55.48 (2016)
  3. Torri Huske, United States — 55.52 (2024)
  4. Maggie MacNeil, Canada — 55.59 (2021)
  5. Regan Smith, United States — 55.62 (2024)

On Sunday night, Walsh was 0.25 seconds faster than her world record going out, but was 0.38 seconds slower coming home. She was by far the fastest out of the top three on the first 50, but Smith had the quickest back half, posting a sub-29 split in her closing 50.

Split Comparison:

Gretchen Walsh, 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Semi-Finals Gretchen Walsh, 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Finals Torri Huske, 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Finals Regan Smith, 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Finals
50m 25.45 25.20 25.93 26.68
100m 29.73 30.11 29.59 28.94
Total 55.18 55.31 55.52 55.62

With Huske and Walsh both making Paris as the fastest active swimmers racing the 100 fly, the Americans have a very strong chance of claiming gold in the event.

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How much can CD bench???
8 days ago

Walsh first 50 + Smith second 50 = 54.14. Crazy to think what might be possible in the future

Swimz
8 days ago

The fun fact is for the medley relay , none of these will not be there to do the prelim swim since they all will be on final team..hopefully Alex shackel (56.78) has to do the fly duties if she makes the team..shacked is faster than Emma who won the ausi trails in 56.85

bobthebuilderrocks
Reply to  Swimz
8 days ago

They probably go Torri prelims. Go Regan/Breaststroker/Gretchen/Douglass

LM01
8 days ago

4 x 100 Fly relay would be so sick!

Hank
8 days ago

Seems like wasted energy for Regan taking on Gretchen and Torri in this event no?

Swimz
Reply to  Hank
8 days ago

No waste at all, she would have make the team..since nothing is lock..

Aragon Son of Arathorne
8 days ago

that was a fantastic performance by Regan. I’m sure she was bummed about being that close to Torre, but who expected her to finish top 2? Her 2 fly is going to be sick.

Swimmerfan
8 days ago

so proud of torri huske!!
It is difficult to have your best career when your position as an American butterfly player that you had since 2021 has ended. point out that it is the first race he has lost in his country since 2021. 
She has proven to be an incredible mental and physical competitor and swimmer.

gitech
Reply to  Swimmerfan
8 days ago

The best mentality

Swimmerfan
Reply to  Swimmerfan
8 days ago

Why dislikes?

Last edited 8 days ago by Swimmerfan
Aragon Son of Arathorne
Reply to  Swimmerfan
8 days ago

because people are sad.

Swimz
Reply to  Swimmerfan
8 days ago

Yes she is the best..she even lowered her own previous AR..in final huske took a long touch, but there was not a space for an another stroke too…I have a feeling that Huske is doing okay and this will boost her commitment towards 100 free..I have a feeling huske going a huge pb in 100 free like 52.4

Sherry Smit
9 days ago

I can’t believe that a 55.62 doesn’t even make the team. That’s so crazy.

PFA
Reply to  Sherry Smit
8 days ago

What’s crazier is that’s faster than what the previous American record stood at before this past week wild.

David S
9 days ago

Poor smith
I feel bad for her

About Yanyan Li

Yanyan Li

Although Yanyan wasn't the greatest competitive swimmer, she learned more about the sport of swimming by being her high school swim team's manager for four years. She eventually ventured into the realm of writing and joined SwimSwam in January 2022, where she hopes to contribute to and learn more about …

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