2016 SHORT COURSE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- December 6th – December 11th, 2016
- Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- WFCU Centre
- SCM (25m)
- Prelims: 9:30 AM EST/Finals: 6:30 PM EST
- Start Lists/Results
- Live Stream ($)
American backstroker Ali DeLoof has been looking quite strong through the first three sessions of the 2016 FINA Short Course World Championships. Yesterday, she became the 4th-fastest USA swimmer ever in the 100 back with her prelims swim. Today, she continued that trend by throwing down the fastest leadoff leg of the morning in the preliminary heats of the women’s 4×50 medley relay, and becoming the 3rd-fastest USA swimmer in the 50 back (SCM).
That time puts her ahead of some very well known swimmers, like Missy Franklin and Natalie Coughlin, on the all-time USA list, and less than half a second behind Olivia Smoliga and Felicia Lee. Here’s a look at the new top five times amongst USA swimmers:
Olivia Smoliga – 26.13
Felicia Lee – 26.16
Ali DeLoof – 26.57
Amy Bilqust – 26.78
Natalie Coughlin – 27.08
DeLoof should have several more chances this week to go after the American Record in the event. She may end up on this relay again tonight, and is entered in the 50 back individually later on this week. If she does, she’ll go head-to-head against Canadian backstroker Kylie Masse, as the Canadian and USA squads had the fastest two times in this morning’s prelims, with the Canadians just edging the USA 1:45.49 to 1:45.67.
Note: For those asking, “DeLoof” is how her last name is stylized on both her official Twitter account and her University of Michigan bio.