TYR Pro Series Fort Lauderdale, Day Four Prelims: Regan Smith Pops Quick 100 Backstroke
The first three days of the TYR Pro Series in Fort Lauderdale have offered some of the top performances in the world, ranging from stellar distance efforts from Katie Ledecky to an American record from Gretchen Walsh to a dominant win from Hubert Kos. How will the final day of competition unfold? Well, the Day Four prelims featured impressive speedy times, setting the stage for a speedy final session.
Here’s what transpired during Saturday morning’s prelims:
Women’s 100 Backstroke
A trio of Olympic medalists highlighted the first event of the morning, with Regan Smith earning the top seed for the final. Smith delivered a mark of 58.40, which was nearly a second faster than the 59.37 from Canadian Kylie Masse. Also dipping under the minute barrier was Katharine Berkoff, who checked in at 59.57.
The reigning Olympic champion in the 100 backstroke, Smith is looking to back up her earlier victories in the 200 butterfly and 200 backstroke. She’ll be joined in the final by Claire Curzan (1:00.06) and Rhyan White (1:00.08), who also scared the minute barrier.
Men’s 100 Backstroke
Coming off a win in the 200 backstroke on Friday night, Hubert Kos was superb in his morning outing, as he touched the wall in 53.29 en route to Lane Four for the final. Kos went more than a second faster than Jack Aikins, who secured the second seed in 54.84. Jack Harvey was the only other athlete to go sub-55, as he recorded a swim of 54.87.
Women’s 200 Breaststroke
A University of Virginia-connected foursome placed its fingerprints all over the prelims of the 200 breaststroke, led by Olympic champion Kate Douglass, who earned the top seed in 2:25.42. She’ll be joined in the evening by fellow Cavaliers Alex Walsh (2:27.23), Leah Hayes (2:28.23) and Emma Weber (2:30.13).
Men’s 200 Breaststroke
Spain’s Carles Coll Marti cruised through the morning heats in 2:12.59 and Lyubomir Epitropov managed a swim of 2:13.43 to book the middle lanes for the final. Also advancing to the championship heat were Mariano Lazzerini (2:13.90) and Denis Petrashov (2:13.92), who has already won the 50 breaststroke and 100 breast in Fort Lauderdale.
