Rachel Bootsma Earns First American Record With 50 Back Conquest

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INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, June 27. SHE scratched the 100-meter fly to focus on the American record in the 50-meter backstroke, and the moved proved successful for California star Rachel Bootsma at the U.S. Nationals and World Championship Trials.

Bootsma scorched the field in her best event, the sprint backstroke, with a scintillating time of 27.68. The swim surpassed the 27.80 American and U.S. Open record set by Longhorn's Hayley McGregory back in 2008. The swim shot Bootsma to third in the world as well behind only Fu Yuanhui (27.22) and Aya Terakawa (27.51). That's Bootsma's third time under 28 seconds as she claimed her first American record. Previously, she posted a 27.84 at the 2012 NCSA Junior Nationals and a 27.82 this morning.

Future California teammate Missy Franklin snared second-place honors with a 27.98, just missing her fourth national title of the meet after a dynamic double last night. The swim pushed Franklin to eighth in the world rankings as she continues to demonstrate the Colorado Star is the most versatile swimmer in the world at this point.

Longhorn's Sarah Denninghoff tracked down bronze with a time of 28.40, while SwimMAC's Kathleen Baker posted a fourth-placed time of 28.60.

Fresno State's Cheyenne Coffman (28.67), Golden West's Cindy Tran (28.88), North Coast's Kendyl Stewart (29.09) and Michigan's Ali DeLoof (29.23) rounded out the top eight.

Short course meter American-record holder Olivia Smoliga won the B final in 28.64, while T2's Elise Haan earned the C final win in 29.23.

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