Regan Smith

When she was twelve, she achieved multiple new age-group records and won medals at high school state meets. Following these successes, she joined the Apple Valley’s Riptide Swim Club and began to receive coaching from Mike Parratto, who is known for coaching Jenny Thompson, a famous swimmer who has won twelve Olympic medals.

At the 2019 World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, Smith competed in one individual event, the 200-meter backstroke. In the heats and semifinals, Smith asserted herself as the favorite. In the heats, Smith recorded a time of 2:06.01, breaking her own junior record. In the semifinals, Smith broke Missy Franklin's world record of 2:04.06 set in 2012 with a time of 2:03.35.

She wrapped up 2018 by earning the title of Age Group Swimmer of the Year for the second time consecutively.

Despite not qualifying for an individual spot in the 100-meter backstroke, Smith was chosen as the backstroke leg in the 4x100-meter medley relay. In medley relay final, Smith won a gold medal along with Lilly King, Kelsi Dahlia, and Simone Manuel. The relay recorded a time of 3:50.40 to break the previous world record of 3:51.55 set in 2017. As the lead off leg, Smith split 57.57, breaking Kathleen Baker's 100-meter backstroke world record of 58.00.

Regan Smith (born February 9, 2002) is an American swimmer. She currently holds the world record in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke (long course) and a third world record was as part of the USA women’s 4 x 100 Medley Relay. She competed in the women's 200 metre backstroke event at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships. She also won gold in the 100 m backstroke at the FINA World Junior Swimming Championships in record breaking fashion, breaking Missy Franklin's 15-16 National Age Group record, as well as the world junior record, previously set by Taylor Ruck in the semis.