OMAHA – The buildup started well before the U.S. Olympic trials did. As the field for the women's 100-meter backstroke began to take shape, a USA Swimming meet preview said the event was "set up to be one of the most talented fields of any race ever swum on US soil," calling it "an all-time race in the making."
The first two rounds went to Lakeville's Regan Smith, who dominated Monday and moved within one step of her first Olympic team. The top seed — and the world-record holder until Sunday — set a U.S. Open record of 57.92 seconds in the semifinals, the second-fastest time in the world this year. Smith easily won her heat and was .58 faster than Olivia Smoliga, whose time of 58.50 was next best.
Blaine's Isabelle Stadden also is among eight women who will swim in the finals of the 100 backstroke tonight at CHI Health Center. Stadden's time of 58.99 was a personal best and tied for fourth-fastest in the semifinals.
Olympic trials on TV: 7 p.m., NBC
The winner will make the U.S. team for the Tokyo Olympics. The second-place finisher is likely to be named to the team later in the week.
"It's awesome," Smith said of her semifinal swim. "I haven't been under 58 [seconds] in a very long time. It feels great.
"I'm in a good spot right now, but I don't want to get too far ahead of myself. That wasn't the final. I've got to do it again [Tuesday]."
Three more athletes won their finals Monday to claim spots on the Olympic roster. Six-time Olympic medalist Katie Ledecky triumphed in her first final of the trials, easily winning the women's 400 freestyle in 4:01.27. Michael Andrew — who set an American record in the men's 100 breaststroke Sunday — won the final, and Torri Huske set a U.S. record of 55.66 to finish first in the women's 100 butterfly.