American swimming star Natalie Coughlin showed the world what she was made of right from the get go at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, setting a new games record in the 100 free during prelims on day one.
Coughlin was out in 25.85, coming home in 28.00 to set the new Pan Am Games record of 53.85. That time broke the previous mark held by Amanda Weir of the United States that she set back in 2011. Weir was beside Coughlin when she took down her record.
That time for Coughlin is the fastest she’s been since 2010 Pan Pacs when she was a 53.67. It’s also the second fastest she’s been since the 2008 Beijing Olympics, showing huge improvement heading towards Rio.
Coughlin’s 53.85 from this morning currently ranks her 10th in the world this season. Prior to this swim she was ranked 17th globally with the 54.08 she swam at the Arena Pro Swim Series at Mesa.
The time for Coughlin also ranks her as the fastest American performer in the event this season, taking out Margo Geer who swam a 53.95 at the LA Invite this past weekend.
Coughlin’s best time is a 53.39 from the 2008 Santa Clara International. If she matches that tonight, she’ll be ranked sixth in the world this season. It will take a 53.32 to crack the top five.
2014-2015 LCM Women 100 Free
CAMPBELL
52.52
| 2 | Femke HEEMSKERK | NED | 52.69 | 04/04 |
| 2 | Cate CAMPBELL | AUS | 52.69 | 04/08 |
| 4 | Sarah SJOSTROM | SWE | 52.70 | 08/07 |
| 5 | Ranomi KROMOWIDJOJO | NED | 53.17 | 08/07 |
| 6 | Emma McKEON | AUS | 53.32 | 05/23 |
| 7 | Melanie WRIGHT | AUS | 53.50 | 04/08 |
| 8 | Brittany ELMSLIE | AUS | 53.66 | 04/08 |
| 9 | Missy FRANKLIN | USA | 53.68 | 08/02 |
| 10 | Siobhan-Marie O'CONNOR | GBR | 53.81 | 04/14 |
Way to go Natalie. Show people how to swim with class. When some one is ready they are. It is about time other swimmers just swam and not listen to all those with their conjectering stay on a roll.
Video of Natalie CR here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2EN6q2kZQ4
Natalie being Natalie. GO BEARS!!
She is incredible. Timeless and great.
One of the great female swimmers of our generation.
Natalie looks really good. She’s hungry to silence those that wrote her off and erase some of the recent disappointments. I think AVW will be *tough* tonight– finals will be great and looking for both of them to hit 53.5 or under.
Very promising swim for Nat.
Hope she gets the AR!! You go, Natalie!!
Time for a breakthrough. Hope she drops a personal best.