Sara Bateman Breaks Icelandic National Record

On Saturday at the 2012 Iceland long course National Championships, Eyglo Gustafsdottir continued her run, but another Icelander interjected some fireworks of her own – former Florida Gator All-American Sara Bateman.

Bateman was born (and raised) in Orlando, but she represents Iceland internationally (she was a 2008 Olympian). She’s best known in the states as a freestyle sprinter, but as we saw a big taste of in this year’s college season, she’s equally recognized in her home country for her butterfly skills. On Saturday, she punctuated that with a 59.93 win in the 100 fly, which made her the first Icelander under the minute barrier in the race and locked up her spot in London.

She was one of the few Gators who really out-performed at NCAA’s, and to come back with this swim about a month later is really a standout. Consider that her 100 free split on the record-breaking 400 free relay for her A-Kvennasveit Ægis club team was only about a 57.21 – a second at least slower than she’s capable of. She could be under 59 in London in that 100 fly, and really shatter the record.

As for the 17-year old Gustafsdottir, she broke her third National Record of the meet with a 1:02.33 in the 100 backstroke – chopping four-tenths off of her old standard. She’s really a better 200 backstroker and IM’er, but this swim was still pretty impressive for her.

She would also break the National Junior Record in the 100 free with a 56.97 leadoff in that same 400 free relay as Bateman.

That relay (also including Sigrun Sverrisdóttir and Johanna Gustafsdottir) swam a 3:51.64, which shattered the club National Record by more than 6 seconds, and approached the National Team’s best swim. When they sub on National Record holder Ragnheiður Ragnarsdóttir onto the relay at the European Championships (an Olympic berth is unlikely for the quartet), then they should destroy that mark.

Full Meet coverage available on aeger.is.