U.S Nationals: Stacked 400 IMs Highlight Thursday Night Competition (Heat Sheet)
The 400 IM, 100 butterfly, 50 breaststroke and 50 backstroke will be contested during the Thursday night finals session at the 2025 U.S. Nationals. The five-day competition is being held at the historic IU Natatorium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Click here to view the full heat sheet.
In the women’s 400 IM, Leah Hayes was powered by a strong breaststroke leg (1:19.87) as put up the fastest time in the morning at 4:39.82. In the final, Hayes will face competition from two-time Olympic medalist Emma Weyant. Aside from Hayes, five other teenagers will compete with Katie Grimes and Audrey Derivaux leading the way. It took a 4:46.07 to reach the championship final.
On the men’s side Olympic bronze medalist Carson Foster leads the way after a 4:12.19 morning swim. He will be flanked by Bobby Finke and Rex Maurer, all three within a second and half of each other. 16-year-old Luka Mijatovic, who has been a constant presence in championship finals this week, will round out the field.
World-record holder Gretchen Walsh will be the favorite in the 100 fly after swimming a dominant 55.29 in prelims, the fourth-fastest time in history and the fastest ever swum in a prelims session. Her biggest challenge will come from Tori Huske, the Paris Olympic gold medalist in the event. Olympian Alex Shackell and veteran Beata Nelson highlight the rest of the field.
In the men’s race a mix of veteran up-and-coming talent composes the field. The pack is led by Thomas Heilman, who set a new 17-18 NAG record on his way to the top-seed position. Dare Rose, the 100 fly bronze medalist at the last World Championships, looks to make the team again after narrowly missing the Olympic Games last summer. Up-and-comer Matthew Klinge, who just completed his freshman season at Ohio State, found his way into the championship final out of heat three. The top five athletes are separated by less than one second.
Swimming in her final National Championship, Lilly King will be the top seed in the women’s 50 breaststroke. Two other Olympians in Alex Walsh and Emma Weber also find themselves within striking distance. Notably, Tennessee’s Mackenzie Siroky put herself into contention with a 30.27. She will be the second-seed heading into finals.
Even with the absence of 2022 world champion Nic Fink, there will be no lack of talent in the men’s race. Michael Andrew and Campbell McKean hit the touchpad at the same time, 27.14, in the final prelims heat and will be the top seeds heading into the evening. While the two will have the slight edge, the rest of the field remains tight with names to the likes of Nate Germonprez and Brian Benzing looking to make their first major international team.
The 50 backstrokes brought the day three prelims session to a close. On the women’s side it’s an Olympians pick-em with Katharine Berkoff leading the way, swimming a personal best of 27.15 that was just five hundredths off the American record. While Berkoff holds the edge, some of the biggest names in U.S. backstroke, such as Claire Curzan and Regan Smith, will attempt to be the top American representative in Singapore.
Olympian Shaine Casas leads the way for the men, with Quintin McCarty and Will Modglin stalking a trip to the World Championships. It took a 25.07 to make the championship final.
