2022 NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- March 16-19, 2022
- McAuley Aquatic Center, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, Georgia (Eastern Daylight Time)
- Prelims 10AM /Finals 6PM
- Short Course Yards (25 yards)
- Live Results
- Championship Central
- SwimSwam Preview Index
Katharine Berkoff of NC State became the top performer of all-time in the 50 backstroke posting a 22.76 en-route to leading off NC State’s 2nd place 200 medley relay at the NCAA Championships.
Berkoff was previously the 3rd fastest performer in history and topped Gretchen Walsh’s 22.82 backstroke split from the ACC Championships last month.
In the final heat of the 200 medley relay on Wednesday, NC State and Virginia swam next to each other as Berkoff posted a 22.76 and Walsh split a 22.81 on the backstroke leg, which was faster than her time from the ACC Championships.
This marks the first time in history where two swimmers split sub-23 during the same heat.
Also swimming backstroke in this heat was Maggie MacNeil of Michigan (23.07), just off her 23.02, which previously made her the 2nd fastest performer of all time. MacNeil is now the 3rd fastest performer in history. Alabama’s Rhyan White tied her best split ever (23.35), making her the 5th fastest performer in history. Regan Smith‘s time is from the Pac-12 championships.
Updated Top Performers Rankings:
- Katharine Berkoff, NC State, 22.76
- Gretchen Walsh, Virginia, 22.81
- Maggie MacNeil, Michigan, 23.02
- Regan Smith, Stanford, 23.18
- Rhyan White, Alabama, 23.35
I don’t think there were even unofficial records, but it’s likely her father held the same record.
Seems like just yesterday when everyone was raving about G Walsh’s 23.0 leadoff smoking Berkoff’s 23.3 in a dual meet. Expecting more big things off of this Berkoff taper, and G Walsh is just a really fast in-season swimmer, especially in the DeSorbo always-swim-fast program.
It looked like Smith was in it with Berkoff, Walsh, and Macneil to the 25 before she missed the wall on the turn. The 100 back is going to be epic, the 200 will be a blast as well.
Berkoff continues family tradition in backstroke
She’s a beast. She’s unstoppable. She’s the greatest of all time. She’s Katharine Berkoff.
That’s pretty funny. Nicely done.
So many doubters…
Kentucky might not be able to claim the “backstroke U” title anymore
Great swim! Excited for the 100 back showdown
Yeah the 100 back hype train just went to 11.
I don’t care about (nor entirely understand) NCAAs – even I’m excited.
🔥🔥🔥🔥Blastoff Berkoff, LFG!!!! 🐺🐺🐺🐺
“It’s been 84 years*…”
*in swimmer time