U.S. Open, Day 4 Prelims: Matchup Set Between Regan Smith and Summer McIntosh In 200 Backstroke

U.S. Open, Day 4 Prelims: Matchup Set Between Regan Smith and Summer McIntosh In 200 Backstroke

The first event of prelims on the final day of the U.S. Open in Greensboro set up a showdown between two of the sport’s premier stars. Racing the 200-meter backstroke, Regan Smith and Summer McIntosh qualified first and second, with Smith leading the way in 2:08.50. McIntosh, the Canadian 16-year-old, checked in with a mark of 2:09.76.

Smith has been the standout of the meet through the first three days, as she opened with a victory in the 200 individual medley on Thursday and followed with first-place showings in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke on Friday night. The highlight from Friday was a performance of 57.95 in the 100 back, which was faster than the time she managed on the way to the world title over the summer.

As for McIntosh, she went sub-4:00 in a matchup won by Katie Ledecky on Thursday night and backed up that swim with a world junior record in the 400 individual medley on Friday night. McIntosh became just the third woman in history to dip below 4:29 in the 400 IM when she touched the wall in 4:28.61.

Later in the session, Smith took the No. 1 spot for the final of the 200 butterfly, behind a swim of 2:10.52.

Already the winner of the 200 individual medley and 400 medley, Chase Kalisz secured the top seed in the 200 breaststroke, going 2:12.44. Meanwhile, Nicolas Albiero and Zach Harting are poised for a duel in the 200 butterfly, as they posted respective times of 1:57.06 and 1:57.20.

In the men’s 200 backstroke, 17-year-old Daniel Diehl led the way with a time of 1:57.62. A day earlier, Diehl twice set the National Age Group (NAG) record in the 100 backstroke, highlighted by a 53.07 outing in the finals.

Top seeds in the 100 freestyle went to Gabi Albiero (55.11) and Andrej Barna (48.61), with Canadian Joshua Liendo lurking on the men’s side in 49.12. In the women’s 200 breaststroke, Gillian Davey (2:30.02) advanced in the top spot.

Complete Results

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