Editorial content for the 2017 USA Swimming Nationals is sponsored by TritonWear. Visit TritonWear.com for more information on our sponsor. For full Swimming World coverage, check event coverage page.
Fun fact, did you know Lilly King never won high school state until her senior year? She was runner-up almost every year before that to who else but Bethany Galat. The two Indiana natives from opposite ends of the state came together once again to race at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis. This time, it was King who took the win over her long time rival with a massive 2:21.83 to swim the second fastest time in the world this year behind Russia’s Yulia Efimova (2:19.83). Galat was second at 2:22.24 to now sit fourth in the world behind Great Britain’s Jocelyn Ulyett (2:22.08). Both of those swimmers made their first World Championship team as Galat made her first major international trip.
The United States has not had a major international win in the 200 breast since Rebecca Soni broke the world record in the 2012 London Olympics, and they have a solid and young 1-2 punch going into Budapest this summer. King is 20 and Galat is 21.
Those two swam away from the pack over the back half from the rest of the field. Miranda Tucker (2:25.82), Kayla Brumbaum (2:25.85), Vanessa Pearl (2:25.97), Andrea Cottrell (2:26.50), Katie Meili (2:26.71) and Breeja Larson (2:28.09) also swam in the A-final.
Meet Links
Rad
Dana, I just watched that race. Galaxy looked so happy. Love that her teammates/ training partners came over to congratulate her.
Watched with my girls in the venue. LOVED Galat’s expression when she realized her time! Congrats to all on a fantastic day of races.