U.S. Nationals: Lilly King Edges Lydia Jacoby During Speed Show in the 50 Breaststroke

Lilly King (left) with Lydia Jacoby -- Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

U.S. Nationals: Lilly King Edges Lydia Jacoby During Speed Show in the 50 Breaststroke

There’s little Lilly King has not accomplished during her stellar career. She’s been an Olympic champion. She owns multiple world titles. She’s a world-record setter. And this week at the United States National Championships, the former Indiana University star and Team USA veteran has displayed the grit which has carried her to the pinnacle of the sport.

Heading into this week’s United States National Championships, much of the breaststroke discussion focused on athletes other than King. Would Lydia Jacoby return to the top of the 100 breaststroke? Would Kate Douglass prevail in the 200 breast? Those were reasonable questions, but through two events at the Indiana University Natatorium, King has proven she is going nowhere.

One night after fending off Douglass in a spectacular duel in the 200 breaststroke, King bested the field in the 50 breaststroke to claim another invitation to the World Championships. Registering a time of 29.77, King narrowly edged Jacoby, who touched the wall in 29.81. The duo will renew their rivalry on Friday in the 100 breaststroke, with King seeking a breaststroke sweep.

In their latest showdown, King and Jacoby squared off in a one-lap sprint, the rest of the field in a race for the third through sixth positions. Not surprisingly, King shot to the front of the field and while Jacoby tried to cut into her deficit, there was no reeling in the future Hall of Famer. The finish was akin to the 200 breaststroke, where King refused to allow Douglass to pull even in the closing meters.

She credits the youth movement giving her a new perspective.

“The kids get me excited about racing. The team has opened my eyes,” King said. “That is always a refreshing thing. It is a different perspective. I realize how much more special (Rio) was when I was younger. But I feel like on any scale that you would mature from, then multiply that by 1,000 since I was in front of cameras.”

A two-time world champion in the 50 breaststroke, King will now have a chance to add a third crown to her ledger. And if all goes according to schedule in the 100 breaststroke on Friday, King will have a full breaststroke slate to tackle in Japan. In the 100 breast, King and Jacoby should push one another in pursuit of sub-1:05 performances, with Jacoby looking to secure a trip to the World Champs.

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