Hannah Stevens Wins First Career National Title in 50 Back; Breaks Meet Record

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

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Mizzou’s Hannah Stevens won her first career national title in the 50 backstroke on Thursday night in Indianapolis. Stevens swam a 27.63 to break the meet record held by Rachel Bootsma at 27.68. Stevens is now seventh in the world in the 50 this year. She beat a talented field that included Olympian Kathleen Baker. Baker finished second there at 27.69 and Club Wolverine’s Ali DeLoof finished third at 27.89.

Stevens makes her first national team trip with that win as she will represent the US in Budapest and she looks to be in good shape to get a spot in the 100 back tomorrow. Stevens also just missed the American Record held by Natalie Coughlin at 27.51 from 2015.

Courtney Caldwell (28.16), Amy Bilquist (28.25), Grace Ariola (28.43) and Katharine Berkoff (28.66) swam in the A-final. North Carolina’s Caroline Baldwin was disqualified in the final.

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