Texas A&M senior Breeja Larson, winner of the last two NCAA and USA Swimming National Championships in the 100 yard and meter breaststrokes, respectively, has accepted a bid to swim at the Duel in the Pool in 2013.
The meet will take place on December 20th and 21st in Glasgow, Scotland, and Larson is the first American breaststroker to publicly commit to the meet.
This could set up an incredibly interesting battle in the breaststroke races, depending on who from the European side commits. Larson was only 5th at the 2013 World Championships, with gold and silver medalists Ruta Meilutyte and Yulia Efimova yet to confirm or deny participation in this year’s duel, but in short course yards, Larson has put up times unlike anything we’ve ever seen. She is one of the biggest, strongest, and most impressive physical specimens to ever swim the breaststroke, and this pays off huge underwater.
In Short Course Meters, which Larson has never swum, there will be four turns in each 100, and that could make things very interesting. Based on the times that Larson went mid-season last year, that could make things World Record interesting.
Regardless of that, Larson’s addition to the team is big for the Americans as they try to solidify a lineup in a meet that could be the most competitive edition of this Duel in the Pool series yet.
Larson joins Texas A&M teammates Cammile Adams and Sarah Henry in accepting invitations to this year’s meet.
I must reconsider my first thought. Mr Keith is right. The SCM breaststroke world records are in jeopardy. But I don’t think it’s Miss Larson who will break them. If Meilutyte swims at the European championships or at the Duel in the Pool, she has a good chance to break the 100 record. RMP will probably break the 200 record in Herning.
The 4x100MR at this meet has the potential to be very interesting. If the Europeans turn up that is anyway. The US Team should be Franklin-Larson-Vollmer-Romano (?) – Who will swim for Europe? I suspect legs 2,3 and 4 are quite clear cut… RMP/Ruta-Ottesen-Kromowidjojo.. Who will swim back? My pick is Simmonds. Didn’t make the British team for Worlds but was 60.0 a few weeks after trials and has the best underwaters of any European in my opinion, I remember her and Missy Franklin at the 2011 Duel – She led Franklin for 175m, her underwaters could keep Europe in contention.
Nope this will be a “slam dunk” for us euros seeing as the Americans don’t seem to be taking this too seriously and therefore won’t show up in any force.
Franklin, Bootsma & Pelton have already indicated they won’t be participating due to higher priorities (exams), so right there the backs & MR are straightaway impacted for USA.
Smoliga & Tran aren’t eligible, so the only recourse for yanks would be to call up Romano for back duties…if she’s even going…
Makes a change – It is usually Europe who don’t bother showing up.
Big move by the US to counter the European strength in depth in the breaststroke events – who will step up for Europe?
Both SC records look equally tough to me. Alia Atkinson has the textile best for 100m at 1:03.41 so 0.7s off, Ruta just behind at 1:03.52. RMP holds the textile best for 200m at 2:15.93, so she has to find 1.4s.
The fastest times I could find for Larson seem to convert to around 1:03 high and 2:18 mid respectively, so it will be interesting to see what she can do in SCM.
I don’t believe the world record will go down, but Breeja has huge advantages at short course meets with her amazing pullouts and is a very probable medal contender.
Good news for the American team.
You talk about a possible world record for her in SCM. I don’t think it will happen.
The 100 breast WR is 1.02.70 by Miss Soni. It’s a huge record. No chance for Miss Larson to break it.
The 200 breast WR is 2.14.57 by the same Miss Soni. A tough record to beat but much more beatable. I think it will be broken by another girl, RMP, at the European championships.