Regan Smith Blasts Best Times In 100 Butterfly (56.26) And 200 Freestyle (1:57.23) In Irvine

By Anya Pelshaw on SwimSwam

2024 NOVA SPEEDO GRAND CHALLENGE

• May 24-26, 2024
• William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center Pool, Irvine, California
• Long Course Meters (50 meters)
• Results on Meet Mobile: “2024 CA NOVA-Speedo Grand Challenge”
• Psych Sheets
• Preview
• Day 1 Prelims Recap | Day 1 Finals Recap
• Day 2 Prelims Recap
• Live Stream
• Day 2 Finals Recap

Regan Smith swam to two best times on night 2 of competition in Irvine. First, Smith swam to a 1:57.23 in the 200 freestyle and then swam to a 56.26 in the 100 butterfly.

Her previous best time in the 200 freestyle was a 1:58.14 that she swam last March at the Pro Series stop in Fort Lauderdale. She now becomes the 5th fastest American woman in the event this year.

2023-2024 US Rankings- Women’s 200 FR LCM

1. Katie Ledecky, 1:54.97
2. Anna Peplowski, 1:56.99
3. Paige Madden, 1:57.00
4. Simone Manuel, 1:57.03
5. Regan Smith, 1:57.23

Last summer, it took a 1:57.59 to qualify for a spot on the US women’s 4×200 freestyle relay. As far as the schedule of Olympic Trials goes, the 100 backstroke semifinal comes before the 200 freestyle final next month in Indianapolis. The potential scheduled conflict of the 4×200 freestyle relay in Paris is that the relay has prelims and finals on the same day as the 200 butterfly final. The 200 fly final comes about an hour and 20 minutes before the final of the 4×200 free relay while Smith would also swim in prelims of the 200 backstroke the same session as the 4×200 free relay prelims.

The 200 freestyle was not the only event Smith swam a best time in as she also touched in a 56.26 in the 100 butterfly. That was faster than her previous best time of a 56.36 that she swam in March 2024 at the Pro Series stop in Westmont. Smtih now ranks as the #3 American in the event this year and #5 in the World.

2023-2024 US Rankings- Women’s 100 Fly LCM

1. Torri Huske, 55.68
2. Gretchen Walsh, 56.14
3. Regan Smith, 56.26
4. Claire Curzan, 56.61
5. Alex Shackell, 57.22

Ironically, the 100 butterfly final is at the start of the session on night 2 at US Olympic Trials. the 200 freestyle semifinal concludes the session on night 2 as well.

Smith was consistent throughout her race, swimming 21 strokes on the way down and 21 strokes coming home. She did not “spin” with a high stroke rate at the beginning of the race to ensure proper closing speed and used her wall well taking 11 dolphin kicks off of the turn.

SwimSwam: Regan Smith Blasts Best Times In 100 Butterfly (56.26) And 200 Freestyle (1:57.23) In Irvine