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Cal’s swimmer Coughlin breaks world record in 200 backstroke

Staff
Thursday November 29, 2001

EAST MEADOW, NY - Cal’s Natalie Coughlin, the 2001 Pac-10 and NCAA Swimmer of the Year, added another accolade to her outstanding career Tuesday at the FINA World Cup in East Meadow, NY.  

Coughlin, a sophomore on the Golden Bears swim team, set the world short-course record in the 200-meter backstroke with a time of 2:03.52 seconds, topping the former record of 2:04.44 set by Britain’s Sarah Price back on Aug. 6.  

Coughlin also placed first in the 50-meter back with a time of 27.29. Former Cal teammate, Haley Cope, the 2000 Pac-10 Swimmer of the Year, placed third in the 50 back with a time of 27.94.  

Earlier this summer, Coughlin won the world title in the 100-meter back at the 2001 World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. She also established a new American record in the 100-meter back with a time of 1:00.16, leading off a relay.