200 Fly Champ Hannah Bellard had Pneumonia and Was Out of Training for 6 Weeks After NCAAs

Hannah Bellard has had quite a run in the 200 Fly in 2026 and kept that momentum going last night in Irvine. Leading the race wire-to-wire, Bellard touched for the win amid a loaded field in 2:06.86, dropping nearly 4 seconds from her previous lifetime best at the beginning of the day.

After the race, Bellard revealed that her long course season hadn't been smooth sailing. Right after the NCAA Championships in March, she had contracted Pneumonia and been out of the water for 6 weeks. It had taken her a while to get back to normal training even when she was allowed back into the water, but she did say she was able to find a groove, and some confidence, in training before coming out to Nationals this week.