Lilly King, Bethany Galat Drop Massive 200 Breast Times at Nationals

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

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.

Screen Shot 2017-06-28 at 7.05.13 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*

3 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Swimming Pool Lovers

6 years ago

Rad

Holli Berry

6 years ago

Dana, I just watched that race. Galaxy looked so happy. Love that her teammates/ training partners came over to congratulate her.

Emily R King

6 years ago

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.