2017 WOMEN’S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Wednesday, March 15 – Saturday, March 18
- IUPUI Natatorium – Indianapolis, IN
- Prelims 10AM/Finals 6PM (Eastern Time)
- Defending Champion: Georgia (results)
- Championship Central
- Psych Sheet
- Event Previews
- Live Stream: Wednesday/Thursday Prelims & Finals, Friday/Saturday Prelims / Friday/Saturday finals on ESPN3
- Live Results
Kathleen Baker posted the 7th-fastest swim in history to win the NCAA championship in the 200 yard backstroke tonight, swimming the event in 1:48.44 (53.22/55.22). With that time, she now holds two of top 10 performances in history.
Alexia Zevnik took second in 1:49.09, which makes her the 5th-fastest performer in history. Kentucky freshman Asia Seidt also earned herself a place on the top 10 list, swimming a 1:49.63 on Saturday for the 10th spot.
Baker and Zevnick were neck-and-neck throughout the race, but Baker took her lead on the final wall with an enormous underwater to win the race.
All Time Top Performers: Women’s 200 Back
- Elizabeth Pelton– 1:47.84
- Missy Franklin- 1:47.91
- Kathleen Baker– 1:48.33 (Pac-12s)
- Gemma Spofforth- 1:48.34
- Alexia Zevnik– 1:49.09
- Courtney Bartholomew- 1:49.35
- Janet Hu– 1:49.36
- Natalie Coughlin- 1:49.52
- Asia Seidt– 1:49.63
The 200 back was Baker’s third individual title of the meet. She won the 200 IM in 1:51.69 and the 100 back in 49.84. In addition, she was a member of Cal’s silver medal winning 800 free relay on Wednesday.
I like the extra kick Baker does going into the walls on backstroke.
NCAA meet MVP!?
Kathleen won 3 individual races like KL but KL also broke an American record. Advantage to KL. But honestly it’s not so important. 🙂
Baker on 3 relays (one DQ’d), Ledecky one. Baker’s 1:42.66 split was better (in terms of achieving potential) than Ledecky’s 1:40, which she matched flat starting.
isn’t Ledecky going to be on the 400 free relay?
Gotta say, Bobo correct as always. Ledecky had the indiv AR, 4 NCAA records (2 indiv, 2 relays), outsplit Baker and won both relays where they both swam, broke an NCAA Champs record by 20 seconds AND her team won NCAAs over Cal by the largest victory margin by a team in 14 years. Ledecky the MVP, Swimmer of Meet and Year for NCAA.