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Missy Franklin Sets New American Record in 200 Backstroke

After her National Age Group Record in the 200 free on day 5, Missy Franklin has already outdone that on day 6 with a new American Record (and all-time textile best) in the women’s 200 backstroke semifinal in 2:05.90. That clears the old mark set by Margaret Hoelzer at 2:06.09 during the 2008 US Olympic Trials.

This swim also, incidentally, clears the old textile best held by Jing Zhao at 2:06.46, and is the 5th-best performance ever in this event.

By default, her swim also betters the old 15-16 National Age Group Record held by Elizabeth Beisel from 2009 in 2:06.39. Franklin should have one more swim in this meet on the 400 medley relay.

Franklin now unifies the American Records, as she holds both the short course and long course 200 backstroke records.

The really scary thing about Franklin in this 200 backstroke is that she has visibly has a ton of room for improvement. When you watch her swims, her underwaters still aren’t great (Beisel was killing her on the walls), and with her size, one would have to imagine that she’s got the potential to make lot of improvement in that department. Her over-waters are clearly the best in the world right now. Even without seeing her finals swim yet, I think she’s on pace to break the World Record of 2:04.81, currently held by Kirsty Coventry.

For full day 6 finals session results and recaps, click here.

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Dutch fan
13 years ago

It’s great to see Dutch girl Sharon van Rouwendaal shave almost 2.5 seconds off of her PB at the WC and make the final! Medaling may not be possible, but at least she’s shown she has got a bright future ahead of her at the age of 17.

As a side note, Missy Franklin should cruise to the gold.

John Sampson
13 years ago

I dont think she will go to cal though BK, seeing as all the backstroke talent that they have and are bringing in. Stanford would be a good option, but when it comes down to it im telling you georgia or florida would be the best fits for her.

DT15
13 years ago

She has a couple more years to decide (I think); but I wonder if she will turn professional or join the college ranks?

In recent years, there have been interesting precedents set on both sides of the table by female swimmers faced with this decision.

Anyways, it is great to see Missy Franklin and many other young American swimmers beginning to assert themselves on an international level. Coughlin and Torres won’t be around forever!

Jack
13 years ago

Lochte was amazing on Anchor, do bear in mind that the French anchor was sprinter Fabian Gilot and not a respected 200 freestyler, still a great anchor though, but it still only compares similarly to other splits & lead-offs in the race.

tm
13 years ago

i am sure lochte and his coach could help her with the walls and underwater since he is the master of it. btw lochte clearly mvp of the meet, beat the french anchor by almost 3 secs in the last leg to give the us another gold!

Caio
13 years ago

Awesome swim.

It seems like she has lots of room to improvement yet, her start and the breakouts didn’t look that good to me.

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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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