2025 U.S. Nationals Day 1 Finals: Live Recap and Highlights You Can’t Miss!

The 2025 U.S. National Championships are starting strong tonight! Swimmers are eager for their chance to qualify for the World Championships in Singapore. The main events are the 200 butterfly, 100 freestyle, and some distance races.

In the women’s 200 butterfly, two Olympians are set to clash. Regan Smith took lane 4 after a strong morning heat, but Alex Shackell, who also swam in the Olympics, finished fifth. Caroline Bricker from Stanford is making waves, dropping her personal best significantly to 2:07.37. However, Shackell and Audrey Derivaux, fast swimmers themselves, will be hard competition for the podium.

Luca Urlando is the favorite in the men’s 200 butterfly after posting an impressive time of 1:52.37 earlier in the season. Last year, he finished second, but this year, he’s ready to reclaim a national title. Thomas Heilman, who defeated Urlando in 2024, is currently placed seventh and will need a stellar swim to catch up.

On the women’s side, Gretchen Walsh leads the 100 freestyle after clocking in at 52.99 in the prelims, hoping to snag her first top-two finish after finishing third the last two years. Torri Huske, the second-fastest American woman in history, is a formidable contender as well. The men’s race promises excitement, with several swimmers aiming for under 48 seconds. Jack Alexy broke the U.S. Open record for the second time in the prelims and looks set to repeat that success tonight.

The highlight of the evening is Katie Ledecky in the women’s 800 freestyle, having recently broken her own world record. She saw a substantial lead in her prelims, inspiring many in the swimming community. Meanwhile, Bobby Finke, reigning Olympic gold medalist, leads the men’s 1500 freestyle and is expected to put on a show.

Old rivals are rekindling their battles in these events. With recent statistics showing a rise in young talent, fans are certainly in for thrilling races as these athletes compete for coveted spots on the World Championships team.

As the swimming world watches, even social media is buzzing with excitement over these matchups. Fans are eagerly discussing potential outcomes on platforms like Twitter, making predictions on who will rise to the occasion. Each swimmer has their own story, and the stakes are incredibly high.

Overall, the anticipation for the finals is palpable. Let’s see which athlete will take home titles tonight and secure their place on the world stage!

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