U.S. Nationals: Regan Smith Leads Star-Studded 200 Backstroke Final

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

U.S. Nationals: Regan Smith Leads Star-Studded 200 Backstroke Final

With four Olympians packed into the women’s 200 backstroke, the finals at the U.S. National Championships were expected to be loaded with some of the top names in women’s swimming.

They didn’t disappoint as the four Olympians were among the top five seeds heading into finals, led by Regan Smith.

The American record holder, who won the 200 fly on Day 1, cruised to the wall in 2:06.83 to take the top seed.

Wolfpack Aquatic’s Kennedy Noble was perhaps the surprise finisher in the event, taking the second seed in 2:07.09, just ahead of a trio of Olympians – Claire Curzan (2:07.73), Rhyan White (2:07.87) and Phoebe Bacon (2:08.19).

The final heat featured Smith, the American record holder, and trials finalist Isabelle Stadden. Smith led early and kept it and finished in 2:06.83. Stadden was second in 2:08.43 and finished sixth overall at 2:08.43.

The second circle-seeded at U.S. Nationals heat saw Claire Curzan go a 1:01.60 in the first 100, being chased by fellow Olympian Phoebe Bacon and Kennedy Noble. Noble took the lead at the 150 mark and pulled away to touch in 2:07.09, the 11th fastest woman in American history. Curzan went a 2:07.73 and Bacon was third in 2:08.19 in a stellar prelims heat.

In the first circle-seeded heat, White was out fast and led at 1:01.92 at the halfway point. She built that lead and was at 1:34.67 at the 150 mark. She touched the wall in 2:07.87.

Reilly Tiltmann took the seventh seed in 2:08.98 and Jo Jo Ramey snagged the last finals spot at 2:09.69.

The top four were among the top 10 times in the world this year.

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