TYR Pro Series: Regan Smith Adding Intrigue to Already Stacked 100 Fly Field for Trials
When analyzing the program of Regan Smith for the United States Olympic Trials, three events are a given for the 19-uear-old sensation. The Minnesota native will obviously race both backstroke events, where she is the world-record holder, and the 200 butterfly is another of her specialties. If she feels the schedule will allow it, the 100 butterfly will also be part of the equation.
Coming off a runnerup showing earlier in the night in the 200 backstroke, Smith grabbed gold in the 100 butterfly at the TYR Pro Series stop in San Antonio. Posting a time of 57.88 for the only sub-58 clocking in the field, Smith fended off Team USA veteran Kelsi Dahlia (58.48). Smith had about an hour between the 200 backstroke, which was won by Kathleen Baker, and the 100 fly.
A few months out from Trials, it seems a four-for-two scenario has developed in the 100 butterfly, with Dahlia looking to retain her Olympic spot against a trio of surging teenagers. Smith is one of those teens, with the others being Claire Curzan and Torri Huske. Curzan has already been 56-mid for the event, managed late last year, while Huske recently set a national high school record in the 100-yard fly, and has proven herself as both a short-course and long-course standout.
In claiming her 100 fly win, Smith opened in 27.44 and came back in 30.44, outsplitting Dahlia by exactly .30 on both laps. Aly Tetzloff…
