Lakeville’s Regan Smith cruises to Olympic 100M backstroke finals as hometown fans cheer
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Minnesota’s Regan Smith began her quest Monday for another Olympic medal in the 100 meter backstroke. She’s the world record holder in that event and won a bronze medal in Tokyo in 2020.
Smith swam in the qualifier round before the sun rose in Minnesota, but that didn’t stop dozens of fans, and the Lakeville North High School band and cheerleaders from showing their support for Smith — part of a pep rally organized by the city and KARE 11.
The crowd was filled with people in Smith’s orbit, including former coaches and competitors from her swim club.
A group of 12-year-olds from the Riptide Swim Team marveled at Smith’s performance. They said watching Smith swim is a revelation.
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Ethan Sellers, a coach at Riptide, said it’s clear what sets Smith apart from most swimmers.
“It’s obvious that you have to have a certain level of ability, which she has, but there are certain things that you have to do on a day-to-day basis,” he said “And there’s a commitment level you need to have. But she has the attention to detail, regardless of how hard a training set might be, that is very evident.”
Dan Schneider, the longtime head swim coach at Lakeville North High School, said he coached Smith when she made the varsity team at a young age.
“She was actually second place at state in the 100 backstroke as a seventh grader. And is still on our record board,” he said. “I assume that that will stay on for a while.”
When Smith decided to move into club competition instead of swimming for the high school, Schneider was sad to not have her on his team. But he said it clearly was the right move for her. After setting a world record at the age of 17, she’s dealt with a lot of pressure in the sport, her former coach added.
“I think this Olympics will show a lot of her character and what a great, great, great career she’s had,” Schneider said.
After winning her afternoon semifinal heat, Smith will head to the final in the women’s 100 meter backstroke on Tuesday.
She has more events: Smith is set to compete in the 200 meter butterfly and the 200 meter backstroke later this week. She silvered in butterfly in 2020.
