INDIANAPOLIS – Kathleen Baker just seems to be getting better and better at the backstroke. Two nights after claiming the Phillips 66 National title in the 200-meter back, the Cal junior came through Friday to win the 100 back in a U.S. Open and championship-record time of 58.57.
 
Baker broke the mark 58.67 set by former Golden Missy Franklin in 2013. Franklin still holds the American record of 58.33, with Baker No. 2 on the all-time list.
 
As she did in the 200 back, Baker went out fast and her 28.51 was under world-record pace. Baker then pushed through to post a mark nearly two-tenths faster than her Olympic silver-medal-winning time of 58.75 from last summer.
 
Baker, who captured both the 100- and 200-yard back, as well as the 200 individual medley, at the 2017 NCAA Championships in March, picked up her first two national crowns this week. She was also second in the 50-meter back on Wednesday.
 
In addition to Baker, the Bears had two others competing in the 100 back. Junior Amy Bilquist was fourth in the B final in 1:00.79, while sophomore Keaton Blovad was fifth in the C final in 1:01.84.
 
Junior Katie McLaughlin took second in the 400-meter free B final in 4:11.62, which was a nearly two-second improvement over her morning qualifying swim. Her closing split of 29.85 over the 50 meters was the fastest of anyone in the field by nearly a full second.