Regan Smith regains world record in 100 backstroke

Lakeville native qualifies for Paris Olympics

The women’s world 100-meter backstroke record is in Regan Smith’s possession again.

Nearly five years after she first claimed the record as a 17-year-old, the Lakeville native regained it at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Her winning time of 57.13 in the finals not only lowered the world record, it established Smith as the favorite in the event at the Paris Olympics that begin July 26.

Australian Kaylee McKeown, reigning Olympic 100 backstroke champion, held the previous record of 57.33, set about eight months ago

The first time Smith broke the 100 backstroke record was at the 2019 world championships, swimming the first leg of a U.S. 4x100 medley relay (the U.S. team still holds the record in the relay).

Although she went on to take the bronze medal in the 100 backstroke at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Smith, now 22, said in a news conference after her victory Tuesday she has struggled with a crisis of confidence that she only recently started to bring under control. Last fall she started working with a sports psychologist. That, along with encouragement from her coaches, allowed Smith to turn it around, she said.

Smith, who competed for the Riptide Swim Club in Apple Valley, now trains in a program for Olympic-caliber swimmers directed by Bob Bowman, who is best known as the coach that helped Michael Phelps win 23 Olympic gold medals. That program had been based in Tempe, Arizona, but recently moved to Austin, Texas.

“I really just shocked myself at that meet in 2019 because I didn’t think I was capable of it,” Smith said Tuesday. “Tonight, I’m in a much different place in my life. The pressure is a lot different. The expectations are a lot different. It’s a very different experience, but I think I’ve learned a lot over these five years.

“I’ve had a lot of lows, especially in the backstroke. But I think it’s taught me a lot and helped me strengthen things on the mental side. I think I’ve always had it physically, but for a long time I didn’t have it mentally.”

Smith has set a career best in the 100 backstroke in her last three meets. Tuesday, she was pushed by Katharine Berkoff, who finished second in 57.91 and likely has qualified for Paris.

“Seeing Katharine break 58, that is so frickin’ hard to do,” Smith said. “She’s one of five women to ever do it. That was awesome, getting to race next to her and the two of us going two of the fastest times ever in the event.”

Smith finished third in the 100 butterfly on Sunday in 55.62, one-tenth of a second out of second place and an Olympic berth. Gretchen Walsh won the finals in 55.31 after setting a world record of 55.18 in the semifinals.

“After seeing Gretchen break the record in the 100 fly on Night 1 I was so inspired by that,” Smith said. “I wanted to do something special myself.”

Smith is the top seed in the 200 butterfly finals to be held Thursday night. She also is expected to compete in the 200 backstroke finals Friday. The U.S. trials run through Sunday.