World champion and World record holder Regan Smith came off of some brutal winter training to win the 100m back (59.75), 100m fly (58.55), and 200m fly (2:10.10) at the 2021 San Antonio Pro Swim (JAN). She scratched out of the 200 back final, but swam the 200 free notching second (1:59.49). By my math, Regan is exactly where she needs to be this early in the season. I see Regan back at her 2020 Des Moines Pro Swim times as she works through Feb and March.
2020 DES MOINES PRO SWIM – REGAN SMITH times right before the COVID shutdown:
- 100 BACK – 58.1
- 200 BACK – 2:06.1
- 100 FLY – 57.34
- 200 FLY – 2:06.39
WAY TOO EARLY PREDICTIONS FOR THE 2021 SUMMER
I’m very optimistic the 2021 Olympics will happen, and I’m optimistic about Regan’s performance at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha. Regan makes the U.S. Olympic Team in the 100 and 200 backstroke, and I think she make Team USA in 100 fly, dropping a 56.5, provided she swims it. She also makes the team in 200 fly, ripping a 2:05.1, provided she swims it.
But who cares what I think…what do you think?
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This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com, a Swimming News website.
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56.5 isn’t going to be fast enough to make the 100 fly
I’m with you on that one, with Claire, Torri, Kelsi, etc.. two will be under.
By career bests, maybe not. and I’m not saying Regan WILL make it in the 100 fly… but there is a lot of pressure in the OT Final, and assuming all these first-timers go life bests in the final is a big IF. I think 56.5 makes the team, regardless of who goes that time
I’m on the bubble a/100 fly, but she’s absolutely in the hunt. Just depends on who is “on” at trials.
Claire Curzan’s first 50 fly made me a believer, she will earn a spot in the 100 fly. I think Kelsi has stayed focused and consistent. If I was betting, I would go with Kelsi-first, Claire-second, both under 56.5.
…Women’s 100 fly Trials Final should come into focus a lot more as we near Omaha. It’s certainly going to be tight to make top 2. Agreed on Curzan. If you’re not watching her closely, you’re blind.
I think we will have two new first Olympians for the US in the 100 fly.
My thinking was just the volume of swimmers in that 56-57 range makes it look like it’s going to take a 56-low to make it, especially with how young the field is. Many of the swimmers in contention for top two have done their best times within the past few months.
But now that I think about it more, you’re probably right. Either way though, this is shaping up to be one of the best races of the meet.
I agree. I think Curzan and Huske will punch their ticket in the 100 fly.
If she is already on team, they can still use her. Her club coach and college coach will probably both be on staff
Her (future) college coach isn’t just on staff. He’s already the Head Coach.
But the last time they did this I remember it working out very well. (Maya DiRado in ’16.)
And I would say those circumstances were different
Agreed it was more of a last ditch resort….not something you wanna strive for
“it’s bad when they do that except when it works, then it’s good”
Which Olympics?
ttt
in 100 fly claire will be one .for another spot regan is contender but huske is favorite.
I see this as an unlikely scenario. Doubtful she’ll swim both, and if she does do both, particularly doubtful she’ll have that kind of fly speed in the 100 and put it all together at trials, when backstroke is her primary focus.
I do. And, yes, beating two swimmers in the Trials final is likely for an elite like Reagan…
She’ll make it in the 100 Back, 200 Back, and 200 Fly. She will put up a nice prelim time in the 200 Free, so that it’s known to the world that she belongs on the relay in Tokyo, but scratch the event before finals because the final is too close to the 200 Fly semifinal. She won’t swim the 100 Fly.
^^^^ yes. willswim has the best guess in my view
…seems likely – certainly the best guess – but young talent always seems to do the impossible.
Mel has a point – Regan waited almost all week at 2019 Worldas to get her 200 back in, she was ready to pop. she ended up with 3 LC WR’s as a result. Now adding more events, we shall see. But young fresh talent with quick recovery times is a definite plus.
Looking at the trials schedule, the only overlap of any of these events (assuming she only swims prelims of 200 free) is on Night 2, when 100 fly FINAL is first event and 100 back SEMI is last event, so she’d have an hour+ between races.
I think smart money says she shouldn’t do 100 fly, focus on other 3 + relay spot (especially with the 200s of stroke at the end of the schedule)… but she’s young and primed. Totally conceivable to go for 4 individuals
I think 100/200 back, 200 fly. 200 free relay? She needs 1.55/1.56. Very hard.