2018 Central Zone Sectionals – Akron
- March 22nd-25th, 2018
- Ocasek Natatorium, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio
- Results on Meet Mobile “2018 Speedo Sectionals Section 3 Central Zone”
16-year old Regan Smith, a member of the USA Swimming National Team and the 2017 World Championships Team, has crushed the 15-16 National Age Group Record in the 200 yard backstroke.
Smith, who bypassed her ascribed Section 1 Sectionals meet in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin earlier this meet, is instead racing in Akron, Ohio. There, she swam a 1:48.30 in the first final of the meet. That improved upon her own record of 1:50.01 set in prelims, Kylie Stewart‘s old record of 1:50.66 from 2013, and Smith’s prior personal best of 1:51.30, done at the 2017 U.S. College Challenge.
| Smith | Stewart | Smith |
| Old PB | Old Record | New Record |
| 26.83 | 25.88 | 25.67 |
| 27.98 | 27.94 | 27.1 |
| 28.36 | 28.34 | 27.69 |
| 28.23 | 28.5 | 27.84 |
| 1:51.30 | 1:50.66 | 1:48.30 |
Stewart swam her previous record-setting swim at the 2013 NCSA Junior National Championships.
Besides the all-time age group record, Smith jumped past World Record holder Missy Franklin as the fastest 18-and-under ever (Franklin’s 17-18 record is a 1:48.42), and also moved into 4th on the all-time rankings at any age.
Top 5 Performers all-time, any age, 200 yard backstroke:
- Kathleen Baker, 1:47.30, 2018
- Liz Pelton, 1:47.84, 2013
- Missy Franklin, 1:47.91, 2015
- Regan Smith, 1:48.30, 2018
- Gemma Spofforth, 1:48.34, 2009
She is closing on Missy’s Best time …….thats is impressive
That is straight Bananas
what tf
i still don’t understand the whole talent vs handwork concept. How does she do this? I’m 16 (guy) and she is closing in on my 200 free time, and it’s not like I don’t practice, I go everyday like many others do.
I hear ya, man.
You’re not doing it right.
Baseball is a sport that hard work can beat talent. Swimming and track, unless you do the hard work and are also blessed with the proper genetics, you won’t break records. Anybody can work hard enough to walk on a d2 or low d1 school and swim, but records are for the gifted. I, like you, should’ve stuck to baseball
I agree with most of your points except the baseball one. Even the most grittiest of gritsters (Dustin Pedroia?) are still pretty crazy gifted.
Oh yeah of course, but when you think of the amount of scholarship money baseball gets vs swimming in college, or the 32 pro teams that have 25 man roster($450,000 minimum salary) with the 100s of d league teams that all pay money vs the 6 per event of swimming, you don’t have to be quite as good comparatively to be success. I wouldn’t ever change the fact I picked swimming over baseball, 22.3 is just the fastest I could go
The developmental leagues pay players, but not much. There’s actually a bill before Congress that will exempt minor league baseball teams from paying minimum wage to its players. If it passes, they can play payers $1100 a month, which is nearly impossible to live on.
I feel for you, man. It’s more genetics than most are willing to admit. That doesn’t mean, however, that taking steps outside the pool (improved diet, stretching, consistent sleep habits, weight training) can’t make a huge difference.
U are right – the last factors u mentioned are seriously taken in consideration now – by many top swimmers . Even Yoga has been incorporated for some ( I have practiced 20 years of Yoga and at 50 i am in great health shape – it works so well on many life levels ) and other inventive ways to swim faster .
I’m sorry, what?
Wow. This is an unbelievable swim! Congratulations to Regan Smith
Love what she is doing right now …..
What the h?!