American swimmer nabs world record

Kathleen Baker had settled for a firstplace tie in the 200m backstroke at the United States Swimming Championships. In the 100m backstroke, she wanted the attention for herself.

Setting a world record guaranteed it. The 21-year-old Olympian won yesterday in 58.00s in Irvine, California, lowering the world mark of 58.10s set by Kylie Masse of Canada at last year’s world championships in Hungary. Baker finished second to Masse in Budapest.

“I’m sort of on cloud nine right now,” said Baker, known for keeping her race goal times in her cell phone as a daily reminder.

“Right now it’s a 58.10 and I just broke that so now I’m going to put 57.99 down,” she quipped.

Baker — who has been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, which causes inflammation of the digestive tract that can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhoea, fatigue and weight loss — also took possession of the American record of Missy Franklin set in 2012.

Baker completed a sweep of the backstroke events in Irvine, having tied Smith for the 200m title.

“It’s really special to have a tie when we both do so amazing,” Baker said, “but of course I’m overjoyed with the world record and a firstplace swim.”

Baker and Smith earned spots on the US team for next month’s Pan Pacific Championships in Japan and next year’s world championships. Baker earned a silver medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics in the 100m backstroke.

Katie Ledecky dominated the 400m freestyle, leading all the way to win by 3.12s for her third victory of the meet and 16th overall. Ledecky has a long way to go to equal or exceed Michael Phelps’ record 61 national titles. It was the 10th fastest swim ever in the event — and Ledecky owns the other nine.

Baker was warming up when Ledecky was swimming her race.

“I said, ‘Kathleen, I think what the crowd needs tonight is a world record,’ and she said, ‘Yeah,”’ her coach David Marsh said.