The TYR Westmont Pro Series swim meet was held at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont, Illinois. The meet, which was held April 12-15, was filled with outstanding races from swimmers. Many top level swimmers competed in the series, including Abbey Weitzel, Phoebe Bacon, Lilly Kings and Maggie Wanezek. A large number of swimmers broke records and swam personal best times. The FMC Natatorium website describes the TYR Westmont Pro Series as a “competition [that] brings swimmers from all around the world to see who will lead the lanes in the Midwest.”

A few big names dominated the series this year, including Regan Smith, Ryan Murphy and Beata Nelson. Many younger swimmers also had powerful races, such as Phoebe Bacon

Regan Smith, one of the greatest female backstrokers in the world, competed that week. Smith, 21, has broken many world records in the 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke. She currently holds the world record for the 200 meter backstroke and the world junior record in the 100 meter backstroke. At the Pro Series, Regan defeated the U.S. Open record and the Pro Series meet record in the 200 meter backstroke with a time of 2:04.76.

Ryan Murphy, also a backstroker, competed as well. At 27, Murphy has competed at many different high-level competitions, including the Olympics and the World Championships. He currently holds the American record in the 100 backstroke with a time of 51.85 seconds. He also holds the U.S. Open record for the 50 backstroke with a time of 24.24 seconds. During the 2023 Westmont TYR Pro Series, Ryan swam the 100 backstroke, with a time of 52.90 seconds.

Beata Nelson, a former University of Wisconsin-Madison swimmer, competed in many events such as the 100 backstroke, 50 butterfly and 100 butterfly. In the 100 butterfly, she placed second behind Regan Smith, finishing with a time of 58.63 seconds. In the 50 butterfly, Nelson finished in a quick 26.30 seconds in addition to the 100 backstroke, with a time of 1:01.12 seconds. Nelson is also part of the USA National Team and is currently training for the Summer Olympics.

The Westmont TYR Pro Series provides swimmers an opportunity to come and compete against others at their level from across the country. The 2023 meet was packed with impressive swims, and many records were broken. On day four, the last day, Michael Phelps’ standing record in the 200 individual medley was broken by Leon Marchand with the time of 1:55.68. It was a weekend full of fast races, broken records and lots of fun for people watching.