Isabelle Stadden Pops 2:04.37 Mark in 200 Backstroke; Moves to No. 4 All-Time
In early March, Isabelle Stadden walked away from the USA Swimming Pro Series meet in the Chicago suburbs with personal-best performances across all three backstroke events. The competition served as proof that Stadden, a former Cal-Berkeley star, was benefiting tremendously from her decision to shift her training to Charlottesville and the pro group at the University of Virginia.
Well, Stadden continues to make major strides.
On Friday night, while racing at the Fort Lauderdale Open, Stadden became the fourth-fastest performer in the history of the 200-meter backstroke when she posted a time of 2:04.37. That effort earned a victory over Regan Smith (2:06.38) and Rylee Erisman (2:08.20), and marked a personal best of more than a second for Stadden, whose former top time was 2:05.91. Stadden is just the sixth woman to crack the 2:05 barrier in the 200 backstroke.
Out in 29.39, Stadden turned at the midway point of the race in 1:01.04. She split 31.75 for the third 50 and came home with a closing leg of 31.58. Only Australian Kaylee McKeown (2:03.14), Smith (2:03.35) and Missy Franklin (2:04.06) have been faster than Stadden, who moved her training to Virginia at the beginning of the year.
Stadden won the 50 backstroke on Thursday night and is scheduled to race the 100 backstroke on Saturday. Given her form in the 200 distance, the veteran is likely to threaten her best time in the 100 backstroke, which currently sits at 58.26.