American Record In 100M Butterfly Set By Arlington's Torri Huske

ARLINGTON, VA — Torri Huske, an 18-year-old swimmer from Yorktown High School in Arlington, set a new American record in the 100m butterfly at 55.78 seconds.

Swimming in the first heat at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Huske broke the previous record of 55.98 seconds set by seven-time Olympic medalist Dana Vollmer at the 2012 London Olympics. In doing so, Huske joins Vollmer as the only Americans to break 56 seconds in the event.

Huske competes for the Arlington Aquatic Club and is set to swim collegiately at Stanford University. In Sunday night’s heat, she beat 16-year-old Claire Curzan, who is a favorite to make the U.S. team for the Tokyo Olympics in the 100m butterfly.

The world record in the 100m butterfly is 55.48 seconds, set by Sarah Sjöström of Sweden at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Huske and Curzan are among the swimmers who made it to Monday night’s finals. The top two finishers qualify for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

Huske, if she makes the Olympic team, will be joined by acclaimed swimmer and D.C. area native, Katie Ledecky, who is one of the United States' all-time greatest swimmers.

Uncertainty has surrounded the Tokyo Olympics, which are scheduled to start July 23. As of now, it appears the Olympics will happen. But the majority of the public in Japan say they want the games to be cancelled or postponed again like they were in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.