Natalie Coughlin Blasts 100 Back Time Trial at Arena Pro Series in Charlotte

Photo Courtesy: Kara Sekenski

Editorial content for the 2015 Arena Pro Swim Series Charlotte is sponsored by Arena. For full Swimming World coverage, check out our coverage page.

Following the first full day of preliminary action at the Arena Pro Swim Series stop in Charlotte, Natalie Coughlin put up a blistering time trial in the 100 back. Out in 28.94, Coughlin finished in 1:00.08, good for the ninth-best time in the world for 2015. The time also is Coughlin’s fastest performance in the event since she swam a 1:00.06 at the 2012 Olympic Trials, where she finished third.

Though breaking 1:00 in the 100 back has now become a routine occurrence, Coughlin was the first to pull off the feat in 2002, when she clocked a then-world record time of 59.58. She twice won Olympic gold in the distance, in 2004 and 2008. Among Americans, only Missy Franklin (58.33) has swum faster than Coughlin’s lifetime best time of 58.94.

Since the 2012 Trials, Coughlin had focused mostly on freestyle events, but she has begun reintegrating the 100 back into her program this season. She will not swim the individual event in Charlotte, however, due to a conflict with the 50 free.

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