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Lilly King Wants to Race Kate Douglass in a 200y Breast

2022 U.S. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TRIALS

Reported by Anne Lepesant.

WOMEN’S 200 METER BREASTSTROKE – FINALS

  • World Record: 2:18.95 – Tatjana Schoenmaker (2021)
  • American Record: 2:19.59 – Rebecca Soni (2012)
  • US Open Record: 2:20.38 – Rebecca Soni (2009)
  • Jr World Record: 2:19.64 – Viktoria Gunes (2015)
  • FINA “A” Cut: 2:25.91
  • SwimSwam Preview – W200 Breast

Podium:

  1. Lilly King, Indiana Swim Club – 2:21.19
  2. Kate Douglass, Virginia – 2:21.43
  3. Annie Lazor, Indiana Swim Club – 2:21.91
  4. Anna Keating, Virginia – 2:24.62
  5. Lydia Jacoby, Seward – 2:26.60
  6. Mackenzie Looze, Indiana University – 2:27.60
  7. Ella Nelson, Virginia – 2:29.07
  8. Josie Panitz, Ohio State – 2:29.78

In a thrilling race to the end, Lilly King edged Kate Douglass and Annie Lazor to win the women’s 200 breast with 2:21.19. King went out characteristically fast, leading by .9 at the halfway mark in 1:07.7. Douglass turned up the pressure over the second half of the race and finished just .24 behind King with 2:21.43 to become the fourth-fastest performer in American history (behind only Rebecca Soni, King, and Lazor). Lazor touched in third place with 2:21.91, and the trio are now the only sub-2:22s in the world so far this year.

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Yikes
2 years ago

Lilly’s interviews/behaviors in the past have sometimes made me cringe (the finger wagging on international TV .. ugh) but I do think she said this in a good-hearted way. She made it sound like she just loves to race and paid nice compliments to Douglass. I also think she’s grown up a ton since she broke out in 2016 and the things she says sound more thoughtful and less like word vomit. That said, I think Douglass’ performance is way more impressive considering the rest of her schedule vs this is the ONLY stroke King swims….

Liz
2 years ago

Does anyone know why Kate Douglass doesn’t do the 100 breast? She’s a great sprinter.

Admin
Reply to  Liz
2 years ago

Her stroke looks better-built for the 200 than the 100 to me.

VikingSteve
2 years ago

Like or dislike King, she no doubt makes swimming more interesting which is good for the sport.

And don’t forget that that attitude is nice to give our international relays an edge and take some of the spotlight and pressure off the other younger/inexperienced swimmers on the relays (Curzan, Huske etc).

For those that dislike King, remember that many other swimmers are just as competitive and chalked full of attitude on the inside, but don’t express it outwardly due to personality or desire to optimize their sponsorships

I don’t always agree with King, but I DO always appreciate her honesty and transparency. It would be far more interesting and good for the sport if more swimmers shared their true thoughts

Jimmy
Reply to  VikingSteve
2 years ago

Well said

Jamba Juice drinker 49
Reply to  VikingSteve
2 years ago

Take spotlight and pressure off younger swimmers? Like when she attempted to steal Lydia jacobys spotlight after she won gold last summer?

Jimmy
2 years ago

This is was a nice interview by King. People here are way too sensitive.

Jay Ryan
2 years ago

Lilly is tough one, that. Indefatigable attitude and edginess.

Jamba Juice drinker 49
2 years ago

She just makes it so easy to dislike her

Nonrevhoofan
2 years ago

Was it just my perception, or did Lily console Annie Lazor and never congratulate Kate?

anonymous
Reply to  Nonrevhoofan
2 years ago

In the video when Lily talks about Katie Douglas she says “Obviously she has done incredibly well”, “I watched the race and it was absolutely beautiful and I can’t swim the 200 breast like that” These admiring comments by Lily about Katie Douglas sound genuine to me.

sepgup
Reply to  Nonrevhoofan
2 years ago

She had the courtesy to shake her hand – I think that was congratulations enough, I mean how can you be overly happy for someone else when your teammate’s heart just shattered into pieces right beside you

Alex Dragovich
2 years ago

It’s obvious she’s having fun with these rivalries and it’s just good-spirited competition. Time for the armchairs to get over the “Lily hate” lol she clearly isn’t really checking for anyone who just comments and doesn’t race.

Last edited 2 years ago by Alex Dragovich
Steve Nolan
Reply to  Alex Dragovich
2 years ago

A little bit, but you’d assume she’d be over yards at this point in her career.

Last edited 2 years ago by Steve Nolan
John
Reply to  Steve Nolan
2 years ago

I think she just genuinely loves to race, regardless the circumstances.

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