US Nationals: Why 200 Free Was More Exciting for Torri Huske Than 100 Free Title
When Torri Huske broke the U.S. Open record on the opening night of the 2025 U.S. National Championships, it was an exciting moment.
But her most exciting moment came on Day 2 when she finished third in the 200 freestyle, earning her second spot on the worlds team.
Why so excited for a relay-only swim?
“I was (even more) happy with the 200 because I was kind of stagnant in that. I hadn’t gone my best time since my senior year of high school,” Huske said. “Last year when I was swimming a the World Cup, I was just dying to go 2 minutes, so I have really improved in that event.”
Huske got to the wall in 1:55.71, finishing behind Claire Weinstein (1:54.92) and Katie Ledecky (1:55.26).
This one day after she scorched a 52.43 in the 100 free to win the national title.
“I feel like I just learned how to swim the 100 free last year at the Olympics. My freestyle in general just has been clicking in practice. I have been swimming times that I have never done before on repeats and way better sets,” she said. “I feel faster and smoother. My easy speed has really been clicking, which helps. I go out fast, but it doesn’t hurt at all. That allows me to come back.”
Huske has gone from a teen upstart to a veteran presence on the National Team. It has changed her outlook on the end of seasons and the process of getting there.
“The experience always helps. Going into these meets now, it is more about a step in the process, making the team, then there is worlds afterward, not just making the team as the goal,” she said.
Training at Stanford, Huske had a stellar NCAA meet, that included an NCAA title. But in the two months since then, coach Greg Meehan has left to lead USA Swimming’s National Team and the Cardinal hired former Notre Dame coach Chris Lindauer all in a matter of two months.
“It has definitely been tough with the coaching change, but I don’t feel like I haven’t been looked after, either. We have been leaning on each other, and I don’t think many teams could withstand something like that,” she said.
It has shown this week as Caroline Bricker won the 200 fly, Simone Manuel made the 400 free relay and former Stanford champion Ledecky is, well Ledecky. And more swims are on the way for the current and past Cardinal.
“It is so awesome to see my teammates do well and see us thrive,” she said. “It is a reflection of how well we get a long because we uplift each other during training.”
