Kelsi Worrell got it done this morning with a 49.89 to smash through the 50 second barrier, the first-ever woman to do so. Tonight, she went out a touch slower but came back like a freight train to get right back under her recently established American, NCAA, and U.S. Open records.
A look at her splits from this morning to tonight:
100 Fly | Prelims | Finals |
First 50 | 23.52 | 23.58 |
Second 50 | 26.37 | 26.23 |
Total | 49.89 | 49.81 |
Both these prelims and finals swims not only broke 50 seconds, but also managed to get under one of the legendary Natalie Coughlin records. Coughlin went 50.01 to set the old record back in 2002 on a day where she also set the 100 back record (49.97), the latter of which still stands.
After today, Worrell has become the fastest female 100 yard butterflier ever, the first woman under the 50 second barrier in the 100 butterfly, and the first woman to break 22 seconds on the butterfly leg of the medley relay. The Louisville Cardinal is only a junior.
RACE VIDEO!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhy_9Ub5sbg
You are amazing.
Boomshakalaka!!!! What a great swim
Unbelieveable!! Twice in one day! Kelsi, as soon as the meet’s over and you’ve taken your time off to celebrate, get yourself to a 50 meter pool asap and then start the process again so you can book your ticket to Rio next year!!