U.S. International Team Trials: Lilly King Holds Off Kate Douglass, Annie Lazor For 200 Breast Victory; Top Three Times in the World (VIDEOS)

Lilly King -- Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

U.S. International Team Trials: Lilly King Holds Off Kate Douglass, Annie Lazor For 200 Breast Victory; Top Three Times in the World

Lilly King and Annie Lazor were the two returning veterans in the women’s 200 breaststroke after the two swimmers earned silver and bronze, respectively, in the event at last year’s Olympic Games, while Kate Douglass was a new entrant to the field after she broke King’s 200-yard breast American record at the NCAA Championships last month. Douglass made her mark felt in this one as she took one of the two available spots for this summer’s World Championships and nearly stole away the victory.

As is her custom, King blasted out to an early lead, moving ahead of the field by more than eight tenths at the 50-meter mark, and she remained in front as both Douglass and Lazor tracked her down. With 50 meters to go, King turned three tenths ahead of Douglass, with Lazor about a half-second back, and those margins stayed just about the same on the last length as King held tough.

King hit the wall in 2:21.19, while Douglass finished second in 2:21.43. Lazor ended up third in 2:21.91. The three swimmers swam the three fastest times in the world for 2022, with all eclipsing Lazor’s previous season best of 2:22.59, but Lazor ended up an unlucky third place at the end of a classic showdown.

“I knew it was going to be tight,” King said. “It was definitely a little weird feeling-wise because it was just my third finals swim in the 200 breast this year, and that’s kind of what it felt like. We’re so early in the season, even though we’re at Trials, but we have to be ready to go. Just a weird 200 breast because it feels like I haven’t quite narrowed down my race plan yet this year.”

Whoever qualified for the World Championships in this event were set to be strong medal contenders, particularly with Olympic gold medalist Tatjana Schoenmaker and Tokyo fourth-plash finisher Evgeniia Chikunova both set to be absent from Worlds, but it will be only King and Douglass getting that chance at medals in June.

King ranks seventh all-time in the 200 breast at 2:19.92 after she joined the exclusive sub-2:20 club in Tokyo, while Lazor’s best time of 2:20.77 ranks her 12th all-time. Lazor, after swimming two huge best times in one day, jumped up to No. 16 on the all-time list.

Douglass’ Virginia teammate Anna Keating posted an impressive fourth-place effort of 2:24.62, while Lydia Jacoby, the Olympic gold medalist in the 100 breaststroke, also swam a best time (2:26.60) in finishing sixth.

While King has been one of the best breaststrokers in the world since 2016 and she has steadily improved over the 200-meter distance, it was only this season that Douglass, the Olympic bronze medalist in the 200 IM in Tokyo, added the 200 breaststroke to her program of events. Her success in the short course yards version of the event prompted her to give the long course race a try this week.

“Throughout this year, I was gaining more confidence in my short course 200 breast, and I didn’t really think about the long course one,” Douglass said. “When it came time to think about this meet, I got excited thinking about swimming it long course. We had a few time trials where I swam it long course, and I felt like I had more to give. I was pretty excited to see what I could do.”

King admitted that it feels unusual having a swimmer of Douglass’ background in the IM, sprint butterfly and sprint freestyle races join her as the second American in the 200 breast at a major championships. “Not saying this in a mean way, but I don’t think I’ve evert had a teammate in a race who’s so inexperienced in the race. Kudos to her because she swam really well and obviously incredibly well at NCAAs.”

As for losing her short course American record to Douglass, well, this is Lilly King we’re talking about. No one should be surprised that Douglass’ accomplishment at NCAAs lit a fire in the always-competitive King, and she responded with a proposition.

“Wasn’t real happy, honestly. I don’t think anyone wants to get their record broken. I watched the race. It was absolutely beautiful, and I can’t swim the 200 breast like that. I’d love to get back in and do a 200-yard breaststroke,” King said. “It’s been a while. What, three years? Might as well. I’d love to race her in the 200 breast. We’ll see if she’s up for that.”

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