As Regan Smith Pursues Pan Pacs Title, is 56-Second 100 Backstroke Attainable?
Is Regan Smith ready for the Pan Pacific Championships? Based on her performances from last week’s Austin Sectionals, particularly her effort in the 100-meter backstroke, the answer is affirmative. During competition at the Jamail Swim Center, her training home as part of the University of Texas pro group, Smith collected victories in the 200 butterfly, 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke, 200 individual medley and 50 butterfly.
The 100 backstroke featured Smith’s strongest showing, as she clocked 57.78 for the 28th sub-58 outing of her career. The American owns the most 57-point performances in history, two more than Australian rival Kaylee McKeown. Smith is also the world-record holder at 57.13 and a two-time Olympic medalist in the event. This summer, could she take the 100 back into 56-second territory?
Initially, Smith was expected to duel with McKeown – a five-time Olympic champion – in all three backstroke events at the Pan Pacific Champs. But a bout of glandular fever has forced the Australian out of the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacs, and several of the meet’s marquee showdowns have been scrapped. Still, Smith will face challenges from countrywoman Katharine Berkoff in the shorter backstroke events, with Berkoff reigning as the world champ in the 50 distance. Meanwhile, the Canadian tandem of Taylor Ruck and Kylie Masse will be podium factors.
A major question is whether Smith can take the 100 backstroke under 57 seconds for the first time. The year has offered several barrier-breaking moments, from Cam McEvoy going sub-21 in the 50 freestyle to Marrit Steenbergen and Anna Moesch joining the sub-52 club in the 100 freestyle. No one, though, has visited 56-point in the women’s 100 backstroke, and being the first to achieve the feat is an enticing target.
There’s no doubt Smith has the talent to deliver a 56-something outing. It’s a matter of the Team USA veteran putting all the pieces together at the same time – excellent start, peak stroke, quality turn and nailed finish. After Natalie Coughlin broke the minute barrier in 2002, it took until 2008 for Coughlin to go 58.97. Eleven years elapsed before Smith went 57.57 at the 2019 World Championships to become a 57-second backstroker.
When Smith races at Pan Pacs, it will mark a full-circle moment for the 24-year-old. The Minnesota native made her senior international debut at the 2018 edition of the competition, claiming a bronze medal in the 200 backstroke in Tokyo. She was also fourth in the 100 backstroke, just .12 off the podium. In her return to the meet (the 2022 edition was canceled), Smith is a leader of the American squad, and will be favored for multiple titles.
If she snares gold in the 100 backstroke, will it be accompanied by a 56-second effort? It’s an exciting possibility.
