2016 Trials Throwback: Lilly King & Katie Meili Punch First Olympic Tickets in 100 Breast

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Each day during the pre-scheduled days of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials, Swimming World will take its readers back four years to the 2016 Trials in Omaha to recap each event, and will offer some insight into what the events will look like in 2021.

The contenders in the women’s 100 breaststroke four years ago were a mix of newcomers ready to make their first team as well as veterans trying to prove they had what it took to make a second team. Going into Trials, the top seed was 25-year-old Katie Meili, a Columbia postgrad who won the Pan American Games the year before in a time that was faster than the winning time at the World Championships. Meili was just ahead of Indiana freshman Lilly King, who had broken the American record in the 100 breaststroke in yards three months prior, sweeping the 100 and 200 breast at NCAAs.

Behind them were two other postgrads, Molly Hannis of Tennessee and Sarah Haase of Stanford, who were both hitting on the right cylinders leading into Trials. Then there was a trio of 2012 Olympians – Jessica Hardy, Micah Lawrence and Breeja Larson, who were shooting for their second team each.

The final was expected to be fast – and it was predicted that both swimmers to make the team would go faster than Yulia Efimova’s gold medal winning performance at the 2015 Worlds. Was this King’s breakout moment? Could Meili back up a great 2015 with a spot on the team in Rio? Did Hardy or Larson have what it takes to make return trips to the Games? Or were Hannis and Haase ready to play spoiler?

The Race

Katie Meili. Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

King had cruised through the heats and semifinals as the top speed, and she was getting faster with each round. She had been rapidly improving in the last 12 months and it felt like she was going to bust something quick – perhaps a 1:04? A 1:05 low was definitely not out the door, as she was the woman to beat in this final.

Lilly King. Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Hannis had qualified second while Meili was in third. Hardy followed in fourth as the only swimmers to break 1:07 in the semifinals. And thanks to a scratch from Melanie Margalis, Larson was able to scrape into the final in lane eight. Even though she was nearly a second and a half slower than second seed Hannis, she had a lane and therefore – a chance.

King had showed tremendous speed all year as her quick tempo really made her a big threat in this event. She dove in and immediately dashed to the lead with a 30.43 split. Meili was in second at 30.84, while Haase, Hannis and Hardy were within striking distance of the top two.

King had a lead of four tenths at the turn, but Meili used a strong pullout to draw even and take the lead over King as the field swam downhill towards the finish.

With 25 meters to go, King and Meili were solidly in front as it looked like Hannis and Haase were the only swimmers capable of running them down, but King and Meili proved to be too strong. As they got closer to the wall, they pulled further and further ahead. And with 10 meters to go, they had it under wraps. When they touched the wall, King became a first time Olympian and so did Meili. Just a year before, they were virtual unknowns. But in June 2016, they were the top two swimmers in the world. King swam a 1:05.20 with Meili in tow at 1:06.07. Hannis finished third in 1:06.65 while Larson snuck in to fourth at 1:07.53.

At the time, Russian Yulia Efimova had been cleared to swim at the Olympic Games, but there were still questions over whether she would be eligible to compete in Rio. If Efimova wasn’t going to be in Rio, King was going to be the gold medal favorite.

Results:

Lilly King, 1:05.20
Katie Meili, 1:06.07
Molly Hannis, 1:06.65
Breeja Larson, 1:07.53
Andee Cottrell, 1:07.59
Jessica Hardy, 1:07.73
Sarah Haase, 1:08.01
Miranda Tucker, 1:08.19

On to Rio

Ultimately, Efimova was cleared to swim in Rio just a few days before the 100 breast final. In a race that became a made-for-TV showdown, King took down Efimova for the gold medal to win the first American gold medal in the event since Megan Quann in 2000. Meili won the bronze medal as the Americans celebrated singing the Star Spangled Banner with both swimmers on the podium.

King & Efimova developed a rivalry since clashing in Rio, as King has not lost to her head to head in the 100 breaststroke in over four years. Ahead of 2020, King is looking to be the first woman ever to win back-to-back 100 breaststroke gold medals at the Olympics as she has won the last two world titles.

King & Meili finished 1-2 the next year at the 2017 World Championships where King broke the world record that still stands today. Meili pursued a law degree after those championships and remained in top shape to make the 2019 Worlds team. However, she gave up her spot and eventually retired from swimming in 2019 and finished her law degree earlier this year.

Aug 8, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Lilly King (USA) hugs Katie Meili (USA) after the women's 100m breaststroke final during the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Olympic Aquatics Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Lilly King & Katie Meili celebrate gold and bronze. Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

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