Regan Smith excels this season with record-breaking performances in multiple events. She registered the fastest times in four events, including the 200 backstroke where she once held the world record.  Competing at the upcoming national championships, Smith will showcase her talent in the 50, 100, and 200 backstrokes, as well as the 200 fly and 200 IM. She made a bold move last August, by departing from collegiate swimming and turning pro to join forces with renowned coach Bob Bowman in Arizona.

Bowman is renowned for molding Michael Phelps into a swimming legend. Smith’s decision paid off, as she enters the USA Swimming national championships as the highest ranking woman in five events. How has Smith’s change of decision propelled her toward unprecedented success?

Smith’s move to Arizona transformed her swimming career

Recently, Smith shattered the American record in the 200m butterfly, displaying her prowess in the pool. 3x Olympian, is training with a group of elite athletes honing their skills at Arizona State University. Here, Coach Bowman oversees the Sun Devils’ swim teams. According to Star Tribune, Smith’s training partners include Tokyo Olympics medalists Hali Flickinger, Chase Kalisz, and Jay Litherland. Reflecting on her decision to leave Stanford, she admitted, “It just wasn’t the right fit.” 

“Going from Stanford to being in Arizona, I feel like I’ve done a 180 in terms of confidence and physical preparation,” she stated. Despite achieving notable success during her lone season at Stanford, winning NCAA and Pac-12 titles, as well as gold medals at the world championships, Smith believed the college training regimen didn’t align with her needs.

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The workouts were less rigorous than those designed by her long-time coach, Mike Parratto, and she felt the NCAA competition format didn’t adequately prepare her for international swimming. Smith found peace in her decision to train with Coach Bowman, whose training philosophies closely resembled those of Coach Mike. With this change, everything fell into place for Smith.

Smith’s training with Coach Bowman propels her forward

The 2019 Gold medalist’s training with Bowman has been refreshingly uncomplicated. He emphasizes high-volume workouts that have allowed her to excel in multiple swimming disciplines. Smith’s versatility and skill have skyrocketed. Be it breaking the American record in the 200 fly with a time of 2 minutes, 3.87 seconds, or achieving a personal best in the 200 IM at 2:08.48.

Currently ranked among the world’s top three in backstroke and the 200 fly, her sights are set on qualifying for the world championships team in as many events as possible. Unconventional but resolute in her decision, Smith asserts, “I’ve put in the work. I’m excited, motivated, and never felt so confident. I’m really looking forward to seeing what I can do.” With determination fueling her, Smith is primed to make her mark and seize every opportunity that lies ahead.

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