Taylor Ruck Lowers 100 Back World Junior Record; Regan Smith Flirts with NAG Record

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Women’s 100 Back Semi-Finals

The women’s 100 back followed the record-breaking momentum that the men’s 100 breast had set, delivering another set of championship and World Junior Records (WJR). Canada’s Taylor Ruck powered to a top qualifying time of 59.28 from heat one, lowering Australia’s Minna Atherton’s 2016 WJR of 59.34 in the process.

Ruck’s time also lowers Regan Smith’s championship record of 59.52, set in prelims earlier in the day.

Smith of the USA echoed Ruck’s top time in heat one with a quick showing of 59.41 in the second heat of semi-finals. Smith’s time qualifies her second for tomorrow night’s finals and flirted with the National Age Group Record held by Missy Franklin. The record of 59.18 was set in 2011 before Franklin’s Olympic debut.

The two young stars have set themselves up for an exciting race in tomorrow night’s finals. Smith delivered the strongest first 50-meters out of the entire field, splitting a 28.95 over Ruck’s 29.07, however Ruck brought home the race in a 30.21 over Smith’s 30.46.

Joining the two young backstroke stars in finals will be fellow Canadian Jade Hannah and her qualifying time of 1:00.21.

Japan’s Natsumi Sakai qualified fourth overall with a 1:00.23, followed by the USA’s Grace Ariola and her time of 1:00.39.

Polina Egorova of Russia grabbed the sixth place seed with a 1:00.48, just ahead of the British duo of Cassie Wild (1:00.58) and Anna Maine (1:00.71).

Swimming World Radio

Grace Ariola, United States

Screen shot 2017-08-23 at 4.10.36 PM

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

Name*

Email*

6 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Camille Henry Cogar

6 years ago

hmmm, I can think of lots of younger girls up here in Indiana that are throwing those numbers at 12 years old. Heck my 10 year old can swim a 50 back in 31 flat, and she is getting beat at meets, can’t wait to see what the future holds for some of them. Its fast girls for sure, but not fast enough next couple years or so.

Anita Steins

6 years ago

Reply to Camille Henry Cogar

LCM?

Camille Henry Cogar

6 years ago

Reply to Camille Henry Cogar

Yes lcm. Scy obviously runs faster

Emily Billis

6 years ago

Reply to Camille Henry Cogar

So. Not. True.

Thomas A. Small

6 years ago

Congratulations

Tanya

6 years ago

A quick search of USA swimming……..the fastest 12 year old in the country goes 1:05.42 in the 100 Back (lcm). Crazy fast for a 12 year old but not 59.28. The fastest 10 year old in the country goes 32.49 in the 50 Back (LCM). Unless the USA swimming search engine has lost its ability to search I did not see any 10 year old going 31 flat in the 50 back.