Video Interview With First Time American Record Holder Rachel Bootsma

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, June 28. CAL Aquatics/Aquajets Rachel Bootsma talks about the experience of finally breaking the American record in the 50 backstroke at the 2013 USA Swimming nationals.

Bootsma feels lucky that the 50s have been added to International competition and now at the US National Championships. She also talks about the challenges she faces daily at California, and how she considers the past year to be the best of her life.

50 Back recap: Bootsma scratched the 100-meter fly to focus on the American record in the 50-meter backstroke, and the moved proved successful for California star Rachel Bootsma at the U.S. Nationals and World Championship Trials.

Bootsma scorched the field in her best event, the sprint backstroke, with a scintillating time of 27.68. The swim surpassed the 27.80 American and U.S. Open record set by Longhorn's Hayley McGregory back in 2008. The swim shot Bootsma to third in the world as well behind only Fu Yuanhui (27.22) and Aya Terakawa (27.51). That's Bootsma's third time under 28 seconds as she claimed her first American record. Previously, she posted a 27.84 at the 2012 NCSA Junior Nationals and a 27.82 this morning.

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