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Kaylee McKeown: Regan Smith’s Times Are Nerve-Racking (Video)

2023 NEW SOUTH WALES STATE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

21-year-old Kaylee McKeown produced the fastest 200m backstroke time in history on day one of the New South Wales State Open Championships.

The multi-Olympic gold medalist touched the wall in an eye-popping 2:03.14 to slice .21 off of the previous WR mark of 2:03.35 American Regan Smith put on the books during the semi-finals at the 2019 World Championships.

You can read more about McKeown’s massive swim here.

On day two of the NSW Championships, McKeown followed up with a 57.84 stunner in the 100m back, overtaking the season’s ranking crown from Smith.

Speaking to NSW Swimming on day 2 at SOPAC, McKeown conveyed her thoughts on American Smith, saying that “Regan is an unbelievable athlete and only has room for improvement.

“Seeing the times she puts up is nerve-racking.”

McKeown also told The Advertiser yesterday regarding Smith, “I knew it was going to be a new level heading into the Olympics and I think it’s great seeing Regan Smith doing all her double ups – it’s scary and it’s daunting to me looking when you are looking at a competitor or competitors that fierce – even Molly O’Callaghan in Australia – the backstroke depth is definitely coming back at that top level so it’s exciting.”

The pair now rank 1-2 in the world in the 100m backstroke and 200m backstroke events on the season.

2022-2023 LCM Women 100 Back

2Regan
Smith
USA57.7106/30
3Katharine
Berkoff
USA58.0106/30
4Mollie
O'Callaghan
AUS58.4206/14
5Claire
Curzan
USA58.5906/30
View Top 26»

 

2022-2023 LCM Women 200 Back

KayleeAUS
McKeown
03/10
WR 2:03.14
2Regan
SMITH
USA2:03.8006/28
3Rhyan
White
USA2:05.7706/28
4Claire
Curzan
USA2:06.3506/28
5Kennedy
Noble
USA2:06.5406/28
View Top 26»

 

 

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oxyswim
1 year ago

It’s interesting to see that her and Titmus place such pressure on their races with Smith & Ledecky. McKeown and Titmus have handled it just fine when they’ve gone head to head, but they’re definitely more focused on those matchups/keep track of what they’re up to. Rivalries definitely make our sport more exciting, so I hope they can continue to keep their counterparts motivated and hungry.

Loeb
Reply to  oxyswim
1 year ago

I love how they’re expressive and not like most American swimmers “I just try to swim my best”, and both are very respectful of the other top swimmers.

It’s exciting for fans.

Sub13
Reply to  oxyswim
1 year ago

Aussies tend to be pretty candid. If they see someone as a front runner they’re just going to say it instead of dancing around it.

Also humility is a pretty big part of Aussie culture so that probably explains it too. If an Aussie swimmer was to say “wow I just broke a WR so I’m the best now” that would not be well received. Painting someone else as the one to beat also takes a bit of pressure off.

Joel
1 year ago

She’s always so humble.
Does Smith ever mention McKeown in her interviews? Ledecky never really mentions Titmus which is weird. I don’t really get that.

Sub13
Reply to  Joel
1 year ago

I don’t know if I’ve heard Regan talk about Kaylee in interviews but Kaylee did say that Regan messaged her after she broke the 100 WR at Tokyo trials which is nice

Loeb
Reply to  Joel
1 year ago

That’s American swimmers in general.

They are PR trained and always come up with boring interviews:

“I try to swim my best”

“I have fun”

And similar boring PR speak

Greg
Reply to  Loeb
1 year ago

After the whole “smash them like guitars” saga, I don’t really blame the Americans for giving out PR answers.

Virtus
Reply to  Loeb
1 year ago

I just try to stay in my own lane during races and focus on my training 🤗

Nick the biased Aussie
1 year ago

We all know she’s just being humble

Caty
1 year ago

Love to see competitors deeply respect each other

Mr Pianio
Reply to  Caty
1 year ago

They know what it takes to get to that level, so it’s hard from them to not respect their peers.

Bryan
1 year ago

It’s honestly pretty heartwarming to see how positive some rivalries are after some of the messy ones of the past

Torchbearer
Reply to  Bryan
1 year ago

Always loved the Dressell/Chalmers respect….wish they had tied in Tokyo!

SwimmerNotSwammer
Reply to  Bryan
1 year ago

I miss Fede throwing hands with everybody 🙁

Loeb
Reply to  SwimmerNotSwammer
1 year ago

I miss Fede vs Manadou drama!

That was entertaining lol

Sub13
Reply to  SwimmerNotSwammer
1 year ago

Lol you should follow women’s tennis if you want drama.

The WTA in the 90s was vicious

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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