Pro Swim Series Indianapolis, Day 3 Finals: Katie Ledecky Goes Sub-4:00 in 400 Free for 35th Time
The third finals session of USA Swimming’s Pro Swim Series in Indianapolis featured women’s and men’s finals in the 200 butterfly, 50 freestyle, 200 backstroke and 400 freestyle.
The swim of the night belonged to Kate Douglass as she lowered the world record in the women’s 50 free, with teammate Gretchen Walsh under the previous American record. Before that, Alex Shackell and Ilya Kharun posted strong wins in the 200 fly. Later on, Isabelle Stadden continued her breakout year with a win in the 200 back, and Katie Ledecky took to the blocks for the 400 free and recorded yet another sub-4:00 performance.
Women’s 200 Butterfly
Two years ago, teenager Alex Shackell blasted her way onto the U.S. Olympic team in the 200 fly, earning a sixth-place finish in Paris. Shackell had a down year in 2025, fading in the national final of her main event, fading from second to fourth on the final length, but she has positioned herself for a rebound this year. Shackell, now competing for Indiana University but still mostly based at Carmel Swim Club, defeated a lineup of tough domestic rivals to open Friday’s session in Indy.
Shackell opened up a significant advantage on the field over the first 150 meters, and even as she fell off her blistering early pace, the field could not catch up. The 19-year-old touched in 2:07.37, more than a second clear of world junior champion Audrey Derivaux. The time made Shackell the second-fastest U.S. woman thus far in 2026 behind American-record holder Regan Smith, with Derivaux and Lindsay Looney the only others to go below 2:08.
The back half of the race saw Derivaux distinguish herself from the field to touch in 2:08.56 for second while Tess Howley pulled away from teenager Ellie Clarke to finish third, 2:09.51 to 2:09.84. The versatile Alex Walsh claimed fifth (2:10.60) while defending national champion Caroline Bricker ended up sixth (2:11.81).
Event 19 Women 200 LC Meter Butterfly
==================================================================
World: W 2:01.81 10/21/2009Zige Liu, CHN
American: A 2:03.84 8/1/2024 Regan Smith, USA
U.S. Open: O 2:02.62 12/6/2025 Summer McIntosh, Canada
Pro Swim: M 2:04.00 3/6/2025 Summer McIntosh, Canada
Jr World: 2:03.03 8/1/2024 Summer McIntosh, CAN
Name Age Team Prelims Finals
==================================================================
=== A - Final ===
1 Shackell, Alex 19 Carmel Swim Club 2:08.00 2:07.37
r:+0.52 28.16 1:00.22 (32.06)
1:33.15 (32.93) 2:07.37 (34.22)
2 Derivaux, Audrey 16 Jersey Wahoos-MA 2:10.20 2:08.56
r:+0.75 28.48 1:01.13 (32.65)
1:34.36 (33.23) 2:08.56 (34.20)
3 Howley, Tess 21 Long Island Aqua 2:09.56 2:09.51
r:+0.68 28.89 1:01.77 (32.88)
1:35.43 (33.66) 2:09.51 (34.08)
4 Clarke, Ellie 16 Carmel Swim Club 2:12.02 2:09.84
r:+0.67 28.92 1:02.21 (33.29)
1:35.70 (33.49) 2:09.84 (34.14)
5 Walsh, Alex 24 New York Athleti 2:13.29 2:10.60
r:+0.75 28.33 1:00.93 (32.60)
1:35.35 (34.42) 2:10.60 (35.25)
6 Bricker, Caroline 21 Alto Swim Club-P 2:11.53 2:11.81
r:+0.60 29.11 1:02.13 (33.02)
1:36.24 (34.11) 2:11.81 (35.57)
7 Hartman, Bailey 20 Cavalier Aquatic 2:13.37 2:12.07
r:+0.73 29.38 1:02.70 (33.32)
1:37.16 (34.46) 2:12.07 (34.91)
8 Cronk, Carli 20 Irish Aquatics-I 2:13.47 2:12.74
r:+0.74 29.14 1:02.04 (32.90)
1:36.65 (34.61) 2:12.74 (36.09)
Men’s 200 Butterfly
Ilya Kharun continues to remind the United States the butterfly force it will soon be gaining when his nationality switch is completed later this year. Kharun won his second butterfly race in as many days in Indianapolis with a come-from-behind win over 200 meters. Kharun actually led early before Dare Rose established himself on the middle portion of the race, but everything switched on the last 50 as Kharun split 29.57, more than a second ahead of any other swimmer, to secure first.
Kharun posted a time of 1:54.96, faster than any current U.S. swimmer has gone this season. Kharun, the Olympic bronze medalist in the 100 and 200 fly, previously swam the third-fastest time in the world in the 100 fly in his win Thursday.
Rose placed second in 1:56.31 while Raekwon Noel overtook Dominik Mark Torok for third, 1:56.62 to 1:56.69. Thomas Heilman, an Olympian in this event in 2024, fell to seventh (1:59.83).
Event 20 Men 200 LC Meter Butterfly
==================================================================
World: W 1:50.34 6/21/2022 Kristof Milak, HUN
American: A 1:51.51 7/29/2009 Michael Phelps, USA
U.S. Open: O 1:52.20 7/2/2008 Michael Phelps, Club Wolverine
Pro Swim: M 1:52.37 4/4/2025 Luca Urlando, DART Swimming
Jr World: 1:53.79 6/30/2017 Kristof Milak, HUN
Name Age Team Prelims Finals
==================================================================
=== A - Final ===
1 Kharun, Ilya 21 Sun Devil Swimmi 1:58.76 1:54.96
r:+0.66 25.34 54.93 (29.59)
1:25.39 (30.46) 1:54.96 (29.57)
2 Rose, Dare 23 Scarlet Aquatics 1:59.64 1:56.31
r:+0.64 25.84 54.68 (28.84)
1:24.69 (30.01) 1:56.31 (31.62)
3 Noel, Raekwon Noel 20 Indiana Universi 1:59.59 1:56.62
r:+0.66 26.06 55.69 (29.63)
1:25.88 (30.19) 1:56.62 (30.74)
4 Torok, Dominik Mark 24 Wisconsin Aquati 1:58.53 1:56.69
r:+0.64 25.85 55.68 (29.83)
1:25.69 (30.01) 1:56.69 (31.00)
5 Solitario, Enzo 19 Wisconsin Aquati 1:57.47 1:57.15
r:+0.60 25.94 55.23 (29.29)
1:25.70 (30.47) 1:57.15 (31.45)
6 McFadden, Henry 20 Jersey Wahoos-MA 1:59.02 1:59.15
r:+0.73 26.61 56.67 (30.06)
1:27.36 (30.69) 1:59.15 (31.79)
7 Heilman, Thomas 19 Cavalier Aquatic 2:00.47 1:59.83
r:+0.65 26.49 56.56 (30.07)
1:27.79 (31.23) 1:59.83 (32.04)
8 Walters, Dawson 18 Schroeder Swim T 2:00.06 2:00.98
r:+0.68 26.15 56.54 (30.39)
1:27.57 (31.03) 2:00.98 (33.41)
Women’s 50 Freestyle
Kate Douglass stunned the crowd at the Indiana University Natatorium with a world record in the women’s 50 freestyle, clocking 23.59 to take two hundredths off the previous mark held by Sarah Sjostrom. Just behind was Gretchen Walsh in 23.78, also eclipsing the previous American record. Read more here.
Event 21 Women 50 LC Meter Freestyle
==================================================================
World: W 23.61 7/29/2023 Sarah Sjostrom, SWE
American: A 23.91 2/18/2024 K Douglass / G Walsh (6/7/25), USA
U.S. Open: O 23.91 6/7/2025 Gretchen Walsh, New York Athleti
Pro Swim: M 24.17 1/16/2016 Sarah Sjostrom, Sweden
Jr World: 24.17 5/14/2021 Claire Curzan, TAC
Name Age Team Prelims Finals
==================================================================
=== A - Final ===
1 Douglass, Kate 24 New York Athleti 24.26 23.59W
r:+0.67
2 Walsh, Gretchen 23 New York Athleti 24.63 23.78A
r:+0.70
3 Moesch, Anna 20 Greater Somerset 24.54 24.20
r:+0.72
4 Huske, Torri 23 New York Athleti 24.83 24.27
r:+0.58
5 Wasick, Kasia 34 Unattached-NT 24.64 24.38
r:+0.66
6 Vincent, Cadence 21 Univ Alabama Swi 24.69 24.61
r:+0.65
7 Clark, Liberty 18 Indiana Universi 24.88 24.70
r:+0.61
8 Paegle, Kristina 22 Indiana Universi 24.93 24.74
r:+0.66
Men’s 50 Freestyle
Two days after setting an American record in the 50 breast, Van Mathias laid down a personal-best performance in the one-lap freestyle event to defeat a field full of freestyle specialists. Mathias blasted a time of 21.62, well ahead of his previous top time of 21.76, and in the process, he became the 10th-fastest American in history in the event.
Also sizzling was veteran Michael Andrew, who came in second in 21.78. Quintin McCarty finished two hundredths back in 21.80. Before the final, Caeleb Dressel won the consolation heat in 21.85, just off the 21.84 swim-off time he posted in the morning session. That represented the fastest time for the American-record holder since the Paris Olympics.
Event 22 Men 50 LC Meter Freestyle
==================================================================
World: W 20.88 3/20/2026 Cameron McEvoy, AUS
American: A 21.04 7/27/2019 Caeleb Dressel - also 6/20/21, USA
U.S. Open: O 21.04 6/20/2021 Caeleb Dressel, Gator SC
Pro Swim: M 21.43 3/7/2026 Chris Guiliano, Longhorn Aquatic
Jr World: 21.75 8/25/2017 Michael Andrew, USA
Name Age Team Prelims Finals
==================================================================
=== A - Final ===
1 Mathias, Van 25 Indiana Swim Clu 21.83 21.62
r:+0.63
2 Andrew, Michael 27 MA Swim Academy- 22.13 21.78
r:+0.65
3 McCarty, Quintin 22 NC State Univers 21.81 21.80
r:+0.67
4 Sheremet, Nikita 19 Univ Louisville- 22.15 22.03
r:+0.61
5 Condorelli, Santo 31 FAST Swim Team-C 22.22 22.13
r:+0.61
6 Sammon, Patrick 22 New York Athleti 22.24 22.14
r:+0.61
7 Taylor, Lamar 22 Bahamas Aquatics 22.25 22.25
r:+0.59
8 Winkler, Kaii 20 NC State Univers 22.30 22.38
r:+0.63
Women’s 200 Backstroke
A stellar year for Isabelle Stadden continued as she cruised to a 200 back win in Indianapolis. Out under 1:00 at the halfway point, Stadden fell off slightly but still posted a time of 2:04.91. Previously, Stadden swam time of 2:04.37 in May to become the fourth-fastest performer in history behind world-record holder and two-time Olympic champion Kaylee McKeown, American-record holder Regan Smith and London Olympic champion Missy Franklin.
Also posting a stellar effort was Wisconsin’s Maggie Wazenek, with the 20-year-old crushing her best time for the second time in a day. Having previously topped out at 2:09.75, Wazenek went 2:08.20 in prelims and then 2:06.05 at night. That made her the 16th-fastest performer and eight-best American in history.
Rylee Erisman, the 17-year-old best knwon for her breakout sprint freestyle performances, came in third in 2:07.00. Erisman also swam a best time by a significant margin over her previous 2:08.32. Leah Shackley, last year’s World University Games champion, went 2:08.16 for fourth. A field of big names included Tokyo Olympian Rhyan White in fifth (2:08.69), two-time Olympian Phoebe Bacon sixth (2:09.40) and last year’s Worlds bronze medalist Claire Curzan seventh (2:10.35).
Event 23 Women 200 LC Meter Backstroke
==================================================================
World: W 2:03.14 3/10/2023 Kaylee McKeown, AUS
American: A 2:03.35 7/23/2019 Regan Smith, USA
U.S. Open: O 2:03.80 6/28/2023 Regan Smith, Sun Devil Swimmi
Pro Swim: M 2:03.99 3/9/2024 Regan Smith, Sun Devil Swimmi
Jr World: 2:03.35 7/26/2019 Regan Smith, USA
Name Age Team Prelims Finals
==================================================================
=== A - Final ===
1 Stadden, Isabelle 23 Aquajets Swim Te 2:07.51 2:04.91
r:+0.58 28.93 59.98 (31.05)
1:32.01 (32.03) 2:04.91 (32.90)
2 Wanezek, Maggie 20 Wisconsin Aquati 2:08.20 2:06.05
r:+0.57 29.32 1:00.84 (31.52)
1:33.01 (32.17) 2:06.05 (33.04)
3 Erisman, Rylee 17 Laker Swim-FL 2:08.32 2:07.00
r:+0.67 30.16 1:02.06 (31.90)
1:34.77 (32.71) 2:07.00 (32.23)
4 Shackley, Leah 19 NC State Univers 2:09.33 2:08.16
29.58 1:01.36 (31.78)
1:34.57 (33.21) 2:08.16 (33.59)
5 White, Rhyan 26 Wolfpack Elite-N 2:09.11 2:08.69
r:+0.59 30.08 1:02.19 (32.11)
1:35.22 (33.03) 2:08.69 (33.47)
6 Bacon, Phoebe 23 Wisconsin Aquati 2:10.82 2:09.40
r:+0.58 29.15 1:01.05 (31.90)
1:34.95 (33.90) 2:09.40 (34.45)
7 Curzan, Claire 21 TAC Titans-NC 2:10.68 2:10.35
r:+0.56 30.22 1:02.78 (32.56)
1:36.36 (33.58) 2:10.35 (33.99)
8 O'Dell, Teagan 19 Unattached-PC 2:10.91 2:11.77
r:+0.60 30.32 1:03.60 (33.28)
1:37.68 (34.08) 2:11.77 (34.09)
Men’s 200 Backstroke
This summer, Keaton Jones will try to cement his status as the top 200 backstroker in the United States and a global contender in the event. He qualified for the Paris Olympic final as a teenager and finished 2025 as the seventh-fastest performer in the world. In Indianapolis, Jones finished well to win a tight competition with his domestic rivals, a 29.35 closing split getting the job done.
Jones finished in 1:57.21, just off his 1:57.11 from the last Pro Series stop in Sacramento which ranks him first among American swimmers in 2026. David King also shined on the closing leg, jumping from fourth to second in 1:57.54 while Cornelius Jahn claimed third in 1:57.74. Tommy Hagar, the Alabama swimmer who led at the 150-meter mark, faded to fourth in 1:58.01.
Event 24 Men 200 LC Meter Backstroke
==================================================================
World: W 1:51.92 7/31/2009 Aaron Peirsol, USA
American: A 1:51.92 7/31/2009 Aaron Peirsol, USA
U.S. Open: O 1:53.08 7/11/2009 Aaron Peirsol, Longhorn
Pro Swim: M 1:55.04 3/3/2017 Jiayu Xu, China
Jr World: 1:55.14 7/28/2017 Kliment Kolesnikov, RUS
Name Age Team Prelims Finals
==================================================================
=== A - Final ===
1 Jones, Keaton 21 California Aquat 1:58.59 1:57.21
r:+0.68 27.90 57.34 (29.44)
1:27.86 (30.52) 1:57.21 (29.35)
2 King, David 20 Cavalier Aquatic 1:59.66 1:57.54
r:+0.63 27.82 57.94 (30.12)
1:28.14 (30.20) 1:57.54 (29.40)
3 Jahn, Cornelius 23 Ohio State Unive 1:58.04 1:57.74
r:+0.64 27.49 57.27 (29.78)
1:27.97 (30.70) 1:57.74 (29.77)
4 Hagar, Tommy 21 Univ Alabama Swi 1:58.96 1:58.01
27.63 57.56 (29.93)
1:27.38 (29.82) 1:58.01 (30.63)
5 Keogh, Gavin 18 NC State Univers 1:58.81 1:58.63
r:+0.56 27.86 58.23 (30.37)
1:28.51 (30.28) 1:58.63 (30.12)
6 Ewing, JT 21 Sun Devil Swimmi 1:58.78 1:59.32
r:+0.57 28.08 58.70 (30.62)
1:29.32 (30.62) 1:59.32 (30.00)
7 McDonald, Owen 22 Indiana Universi 2:00.11 2:00.06
r:+0.49 27.90 58.28 (30.38)
1:29.54 (31.26) 2:00.06 (30.52)
8 Long, Michael 22 Wisconsin Aquati 1:59.68 2:00.89
r:+0.54 27.89 58.14 (30.25)
1:29.23 (31.09) 2:00.89 (31.66)
Women’s 400 Freestyle
As she has in so many U.S. competitions over the last 14 years, Katie Ledecky dominated the 400 free while swimming under the 4:00 barrier. Ledecky had already cleared the field by more than 1.5 seconds at the 100-meter mark, and she continued recording the splits needed to get into the 3:59s.
She ended up finishing in 3:59.51, marking the 35th time she has broken 4:00 in her career. Ledecky was the first woman in history to go that fast in a textile suit, and she owned the world record from 2014 through 2022, topping out at a 3:56.46 at the Rio Olympics.
Second place went to Kennedi Dobson in 4:06.11, a best time by a half-second following her impressive freshman campaign at the University of Georgia. Previously, Dobson swam a time of 4:06.66 at last year’s World Junior Championships to win bronze and secure herself a spot at the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships. Third went to Ohio State’s Mila Mikanarov in 207.27, beating out Virginia swimmers Cavan Gormsen (4:07.65) and Katie Grimes (4:08.57).
Event 25 Women 400 LC Meter Freestyle
==================================================================
World: W 3:54.18 6/7/2025 Summer McIntosh, CAN
American: A 3:56.46 8/7/2016 Katie Ledecky, USA
U.S. Open: O 3:55.37 12/4/2025 Summer McIntosh, Sarasota Sharks
Pro Swim: M 3:56.81 5/1/2025 Katie Ledecky, Gator Swim Club
Jr World: 3:56.08 3/28/2023 Summer McIntosh, CAN
Name Age Team Prelims Finals
==================================================================
=== A - Final ===
1 Ledecky, Katie 29 Gator Swim Club- 4:02.48 3:59.51
r:+0.56 27.76 57.55 (29.79)
1:27.93 (30.38) 1:58.72 (30.79)
2:29.05 (30.33) 2:59.56 (30.51)
3:30.08 (30.52) 3:59.51 (29.43)
2 Dobson, Kennedi 19 Eastern Express- 4:09.05 4:06.11
r:+0.73 28.45 59.13 (30.68)
1:30.27 (31.14) 2:01.39 (31.12)
2:32.43 (31.04) 3:03.85 (31.42)
3:35.15 (31.30) 4:06.11 (30.96)
3 Nikanorov, Mila 20 Ohio State Unive 4:10.15 4:07.27
r:+0.71 28.81 59.60 (30.79)
1:30.95 (31.35) 2:02.71 (31.76)
2:34.33 (31.62) 3:05.74 (31.41)
3:36.90 (31.16) 4:07.27 (30.37)
4 Gormsen, Cavan 21 Long Island Aqua 4:10.70 4:07.65
r:+0.63 28.57 59.54 (30.97)
1:30.72 (31.18) 2:02.20 (31.48)
2:33.94 (31.74) 3:05.81 (31.87)
3:37.47 (31.66) 4:07.65 (30.18)
5 Grimes, Katie 20 Cavalier Aquatic 4:12.01 4:08.57
r:+0.66 28.67 59.44 (30.77)
1:30.91 (31.47) 2:02.46 (31.55)
2:34.20 (31.74) 3:05.78 (31.58)
3:37.62 (31.84) 4:08.57 (30.95)
6 Gemmell, Erin 21 Longhorn Aquatic 4:09.44 4:08.93
r:+0.78 28.10 59.11 (31.01)
1:30.34 (31.23) 2:01.99 (31.65)
2:33.72 (31.73) 3:05.89 (32.17)
3:38.25 (32.36) 4:08.93 (30.68)
7 Canny, Aimee 22 South Africa-IT 4:11.82 4:11.40
r:+0.77 28.57 59.41 (30.84)
1:30.81 (31.40) 2:02.42 (31.61)
2:34.34 (31.92) 3:06.54 (32.20)
3:37.98 (31.44) 4:11.40 (33.42)
8 Mintenko, Madi 18 Cavalier Aquatic 4:11.99 4:15.56
r:+0.70 28.68 59.90 (31.22)
1:31.95 (32.05) 2:04.47 (32.52)
2:36.96 (32.49) 3:09.68 (32.72)
3:42.94 (33.26) 4:15.56 (32.62)
Men’s 400 Freestyle
Two years ago, Kieran Smith and Aaron Shackell represented the United States in the 400 freestyle at the Paris Olympics. With the other key American contenders absent in Indy, those two went head-to-head again in the last championship final of Friday’s session. Shackell led for almost the entire race, and he held the fast-finishing Smith at bay on the final length.
Shackell swam a time of 3:48.14, a half-second ahead of Smith’s 3:48.68. Shackell joined younger sister Alex as winners on the evening after Alex took first in the women’s 200 fly. Shackell qualified for the U.S. Pan Pacs team with a win in the event at last year’s Summer Championships while Smith will not be on the top-level U.S. team for the second consecutive year after a four-year run. Third here went to NC State’s Max Carlsen in 3:50.04.
Event 26 Men 400 LC Meter Freestyle
==================================================================
World: W 3:39.96 4/12/2025 Lucas Martens, GER
American: A 3:42.78 8/10/2008 Larsen Jensen, USA
U.S. Open: O 3:43.33 6/6/2025 Rex Maurer, Longhorn Aquatic
Pro Swim: M 3:43.49 3/7/2026 Samuel Short, Australia
Jr World: 3:44.31 7/9/2023 Petar Petrov Mitsin, BUL
Name Age Team Prelims Finals
==================================================================
=== A - Final ===
1 Shackell, Aaron 21 Carmel Swim Club 3:51.24 3:48.14
r:+0.64 25.62 54.10 (28.48)
1:23.20 (29.10) 1:52.36 (29.16)
2:21.27 (28.91) 2:50.75 (29.48)
3:19.72 (28.97) 3:48.14 (28.42)
2 Smith, Kieran 26 Ridgefield Aquat 3:54.41 3:48.68
r:+0.68 25.90 54.47 (28.57)
1:23.49 (29.02) 1:52.70 (29.21)
2:21.83 (29.13) 2:51.23 (29.40)
3:20.49 (29.26) 3:48.68 (28.19)
3 Carlsen, Max 19 NC State Univers 3:54.08 3:50.04
r:+0.70 26.59 55.72 (29.13)
1:24.84 (29.12) 1:54.30 (29.46)
2:23.43 (29.13) 2:52.58 (29.15)
3:21.43 (28.85) 3:50.04 (28.61)
4 Hick, Carson 21 Kentucky Aquatic 3:55.25 3:51.78
r:+0.71 26.66 55.51 (28.85)
1:24.90 (29.39) 1:54.37 (29.47)
2:23.82 (29.45) 2:53.66 (29.84)
3:23.15 (29.49) 3:51.78 (28.63)
5 Finke, Bobby 26 Saint Petersburg 3:54.55 3:52.30
r:+0.71 26.89 55.99 (29.10)
1:25.37 (29.38) 1:54.93 (29.56)
2:24.56 (29.63) 2:54.11 (29.55)
3:23.92 (29.81) 3:52.30 (28.38)
6 Mulgrew, William 19 Shawmut Aquatic- 3:52.97 3:52.46
r:+0.75 27.07 56.07 (29.00)
1:25.94 (29.87) 1:55.47 (29.53)
2:25.16 (29.69) 2:54.73 (29.57)
3:23.96 (29.23) 3:52.46 (28.50)
7 Allen, Trent 17 Carmel Swim Club 3:55.41 3:56.78
r:+0.69 27.17 56.66 (29.49)
1:26.48 (29.82) 1:56.54 (30.06)
2:26.75 (30.21) 2:57.12 (30.37)
3:27.48 (30.36) 3:56.78 (29.30)
8 Ikari, Yuki 25 Kindai Club-IT 3:55.43 3:57.90
r:+0.63 25.44 55.59 (30.15)
1:25.60 (30.01) 1:55.91 (30.31)
2:26.60 (30.69) 2:57.25 (30.65)
3:28.15 (30.90) 3:57.90 (29.75)
