Coughlin Getting Better

By John Lohn

CRANBURY, New Jersey, November 2. IN just the past few weeks, a handful of short-course world records have been altered, courtesy of a pair of American ladies. First, Kate Ziegler ripped it up on the distance-freestyle scene, breaking two world records in the 800 freestyle and one in the 1500 free. Then, Natalie Coughlin lowered her own world record in the 100 backstroke, going 56.51 during the Singapore stop of the FINA World Cup Series.

Last week, SwimmingWorldMagazine.com provided a feature on Ziegler, after chatting with the world-record holder once she returned to the United States from her record-setting exploits in Germany. This week, we're going to highlight Coughlin, who has been a staple on the international scene since early this decade.

A simple glance at Coughlin's portfolio reveals a woman who – on an across-the-board basis – has been as good as it gets the past six years. Obviously, she is the best 100 backstroker in history, having separated herself from the competition in impressive fashion. While Laure Manaudou and Kirsty Coventry have broken the one-minute barrier, Coughlin's long-course global standard of 59.44 sits significantly ahead of the competition.

In addition to her backstroke excellence, Coughlin has established herself as the premier American in the 100 and 200 freestyles and among the world's finest in those events. She's also the fastest American in the history of the 100 butterfly and among the globe's best in that discipline. If she wanted, there's little doubt she'd rate highly on the international charts in the 200 backstroke and 200 individual medley.

During a time when Michael Phelps attracts so many of the headlines (deservingly so), Coughlin sometimes goes overlooked in terms of what she brings to the table. While she doesn't range to the eight-event schedule that Phelps embraces in major competition, Coughlin's versatility is special. She was, after all, a winner of five medals at the Athens Olympics and her efforts earlier this year at the World Champs were downright phenomenal.

Aside from bettering her world mark in the 100 backstroke, Coughlin left the World Champs in Melbourne with American standards in the 100 free, 200 free and 100 fly and was the leadoff leg on the United States' world-record setting 800 freestyle relay. She has since started her short-course season in grand fashion and the possibilities in Beijing are limitless. Really, it's up to Coughlin what she wants to do.

Before Coughlin set her world standard in the 100 back in Australia, it had been five years since she lowered the world standard. With that amount of time passing, there were questions as to whether she would ever go that fast again. Obviously, she should have never been counted out. And, she deserved better than to be doubted. It's now clear that Coughlin was willing to work with coach Teri McKeever in experimental fashion, to find a way to get faster. Much like Tiger Woods with his golf swing, Coughlin knew greater results were on the way. She deserves credit for not settling for the status quo, but desiring more.

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