Olympic trials: 2020 Olympian Rhyan White hits the pool, along with other former Utah prep stars


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INDIANAPOLIS — Rhyan White will have to wait a little longer to see if she will go to a second Olympic Games.

The Herriman native finished fifth in the 100-meter backstroke final Tuesday at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials. Only the top two placed swimmers head to Paris.

Regan Smith reclaimed the world record in the event, finishing in 57.13 to shatter Australian Kaylee McKeown's previous mark by two full tenths. Katharine Berkoff — who trains with White — finished second.

But White, who became the first Utahn to make a U.S. Olympic swim team in 2020, isn't out of the running for Paris yet.

White's best event — the 200-meter backstroke — is still to come. White won that event at the 2020 trials and is tied for the second-best qualifying time heading into this year's event.

Smith is also the world record holder in the 200-meter backstroke and is the heavy favorite going into the event. The second Olympic spot will likely be a race between White, Claire Curzan, Kennedy Noble and Phoebe Bacon.

The 200 back will begin Thursday, with prelim heats in the morning and the semifinals during the evening sessions. The race to go to the Olympics will be Friday night.

White wasn't the only former Utah prep swimming star to hit the pool on Tuesday, though.

Former Olympus High star and current University of Utah swimmer Evan VanBrocklin made his Olympic trial debut Tuesday.

VanBrocklin, the 2022 Utah 5A swimmer of the year, competed in the 200-meter butterfly Tuesday. His old club team, Olympus Aquatics, held a viewing party Tuesday morning to celebrate the club's first alumni to compete at the trials.

VanBrocklin didn't advance past the prelims, finishing in 47th.

Another Utah prep star will get his first chance at the trials later this week. BYU and former Lone Peak star Jordan Tiffany will compete in the 100-meter butterfly Friday. Tiffany, who still owns three state prep records, as well as five BYU records, has the 52nd fastest qualifying time in the event.

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