TOKYO — Lakeville's Regan Smith on Wednesday advanced to the final of the 200-meter butterfly, finishing second in her semifinal while posting the fourth-fastest time of the day.
USA teammate Hali Flickinger finished first ahead of Smith in the first semifinal, in 2 minutes, 6.23 seconds. Smith led early and finished in 2:06.64.
In the other semifinal, China's Yufei Zhang won in 2:04.89 and Hungary's Boglarka Kapas finished second in 2:06.59.
The final — Smith's second attempt to win an Olympic medal here in Tokyo — will take place Wednesday night Minnesota time (9:28 p.m., Ch. 11).
"It felt great,'' Smith said. "I always love racing Hali, I think she pushes me really hard, and I think that's my second-best time ever so I'm really happy with it.''
And how is the bronze medal winner in the 100-meter backstroke — that was Monday night's big drama — holding up to the Olympic schedule and pressures?
"I think yesterday was a big day for me,'' she said. "It was a little tough, so I'm proud of myself for sticking through and putting in a quality swim last night. I got a good night's sleep and I feel a lot better this morning and I think I'll feel even better tomorrow.''
Smith had advanced in the prelims on Tuesday night at the Tokyo Aquatics Center, when she finished with the fourth-fastest heats time (2:08.46).
