Could Regan Smith Enter Conversation For Team USA’s 800 Freestyle Relay?
On the road to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Regan Smith is firmly etched as a favorite to represent Team USA. The 20-year-old is already a three-time Olympic medalist from the 2020 Games in Tokyo, and Smith enters the New Year – and next week’s TYR Pro Series stop in Knoxville – with momentum from the recent U.S. Open.
In Greensboro last month, Smith was superb in the 100 backstroke (57.95) and 200 backstroke (2:05.28), doubled in the 100 butterfly (57.65) and 200 fly (2:07.30) and delivered a personal-best performance of 2:10.40 in the 200 individual medley. Obviously, options abound as she works under the direction of coach Bob Bowman at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center.
But is another event on the horizon?
A scan of the psych sheets for TYR action in Knoxville shows Smith entered in a handful of freestyle disciplines, including the 200-meter distance. Why is Smith’s presence in that event noteworthy? Well, it is over four laps where Smith has her best opportunity of logging additional relay duty for the Red, White and Blue.
According to the USA Swimming database, Smith owns a personal best of 1:58.44 in the 200 freestyle, produced in downplayed competition in 2019. It is an effort that doesn’t lend itself toward consideration for the American 800 freestyle relay, but it simultaneously offers a glimpse of Smith’s potential in the event. Meanwhile, Smith has…
