2025 NSW STATE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Friday, March 21st – Sunday, March 23rd
- Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre
- LCM (50m)
- Meet Central
- SwimSwam Preview #1
- SwimSwam Preview #2
- Final Entries
- Day 1 Recap/Day 2 Recap
- Live Results
The 2025 New South Wales State Open Championships entered its final day with the competition representing a tune up opportunity for athletes ahead of the all-important World Trials on the agenda for June.
23-year-old Kaylee McKeown already put on a show in both the women’s 100m and 200m backstroke events on the first two days of the meet. In the former, she ripped a monster 57.73 and in the latter she crushed an outing of 2:04.57. Both performances rocketed her up the world rankings to wear the crown in both events.
Next on McKeown’s list of victims was the 50m back.
Competing in this morning’s heats, Griffith University’s McKeown fired off an eye-popping result of 27.06. That beat the field by well over a second en route to capturing the top seed.
McKeown’s time was within striking distance of her own world record mark of 26.86, the time she put on the books during the 2023 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup.
However, her 27.06 represents the 4th-swiftest performance in history.
Top 5 Women’s LCM 50 Back Performances All-Time
- 26.86 – Kaylee McKeown (AUS), 2023
- 26.98 – Liu Xiang (CHN), 2018
- 27.02 – Kaylee McKeown, 2023
- 27.06 – Zhao Jing (CHN), 2009 & 27.06 Kaylee McKeown (AUS), 2025
- 27.07 – Kaylee McKeown, 2024
She ranks #1 in the world this season by a healthy margin.
2024-2025 LCM Women 50 Back
MCKEOWN
27.06
| 2 | Wan Letian | CHN | 27.09 | 03/23 |
| 3 | Kylie Masse | CAN | 27.42 | 03/06 |
| 4 | Lauren Cox | GBR | 27.60 | 02/16 |
| 5 | Katharine Berkoff | USA | 27.63 | 03/06 |
McKeown wound up dropping the final today but has proven she is back in full force since having withdrawn from last year’s World Aquatics Swimming World Cup to tend to her mental health.
What a sweep, just incredible. The 200 time for me was the surprise, to do that without a heavy training load is just insane. I called it last year, she is most likely still improving and probably hasn’t peaked, it is scary to think how fast she can go. WR’s were definitely in reach last year, had it not been for the slow pool (more for some events). Regan is improving too, the duel is not over.
I agree. a sub 2.03 in the 200 back isn’t far away.
Highest FINA point score of the year so far…
But also your list is missing one. Kaylee went a 26.98 in December 23 at QLD Champs but it’s missing from FINA’s database. Reta wrote an article on it though.
Thanks, will send to Giusy to add to the rankings.
Edit: that was December 2023 which was last season?
Yes but it should be on the all time top 5 list.
Sorry I meant the top 5 all time list (tied for #2), not the current season list
Wan also went 27.09 today in China.
If Kaylee was blocked from another triple because a Bohl trained swimmer beat her I’m not sure how I would react haha
China have produced fast 50 m backstrokers in the past. not a surprise
Almost sounds like a Jess Shcipper scenario
It’s crazy that she took a bit of rest after withdrawing from World Cup, and a few months later swims 27.0, 57.7, and 2:04
McKeown literally swims fast anytime anywhere.
It’s just unfortunate for Regan that she competes with backstroke GOAT in backstroke events and with the best overall swimmer of the past 5 years and genuine generational talent in 200 fly.
At this point it might be more newsworthy when she swims and doesn’t change the alltime ranking in an event…
That would be funny though: “Kaylee McKeown rips 2:14.52 200 backstroke in her home pool after practice”.
Fast day for 50 backstrokers 🤣🤣
First, Kaylee went 27.06 in Aus, then Wan Letian went 27.09 in China.
and i oop. the bohly effect already taking root. looks like china is starting to plug their only hole in the womens medley…
China has produced really fast 50 m backstrokers in the past. 26.98/27.06.27.09 are their top 3 performers. Kaylee still winning though in my opinion.
goat of everything