Halfway to LA28, United States Power and Depth in Women’s Backstroke is Stunning (See Rankings)
This summer will mark the midway point between Olympic Games, Paris in the rearview mirror and Los Angeles on the horizon. The battle for female Team USA roster spots to a home Games could be as heated as ever, thanks to an American arsenal boasting a combination of veteran stars and burgeoning teenagers.
While the United States features talent across all Olympic disciplines, its wealth in the backstroke events is incredible. Regan Smith is the undeniable headliner at the moment, that distinction earned through world-record performances and eight career Olympic medals, including six for her backstroke work.
Of late, Isabelle Stadden has made significant noise. A standout at the collegiate level at Cal-Berkeley, Stadden shifted training for her professional days to the University of Virginia, and the results have been spectacular. Stadden has established career-best times in all three backstroke events since her move to Charlottesville, including a 57.55 clocking (No. 3 performer) in the 100 distance and a 2:04.37 effort (No. 4 performer) in the 200 back.
During the first two years of this Olympic quad, American athletes have dominated the global rankings in the backstroke. Here is a statistical look at that excellence.
World Rankings (2025-26)
100 Backstroke
Kaylee McKeown (Australia) – 57.16
Regan Smith (United States) – 57.35
Isabelle Stadden (United States) – 57.55
Katharine Berkoff (United States) – 58.13
Kylie Masse (Canada) – 58.18
Claire Curzan (United States) – 58.60
Leah Shackley (United States) – 58.60
Mollie O’Callaghan (Australia) – 58.64
Kennedy Noble (United States) – 58.78
Phoebe Bacon (United States) – 58.80
Carmen Weiler Sastre (Spain) – 58.83
Taylor Ruck (Canada) – 58.93
Marrit Steenbergen (Netherlands) – 58.96
Roos Vanotterdijk (Belgium) – 58.97
Peng Xuwei (China) – 59.10
Pauline Mahieu (France) – 59.13
Mary-Ambre Moluh (France) – (59.16)
Charlotte Crush (United States) – 59.21
Wan Letian (China) – 59.21
Rylee Erisman (United States) – 59.25
Anastasia Gorbenko (Israel) – 59.25
200 Backstroke
Kaylee McKeown (Australia) – 2:03.33
Regan Smith (United States) – 2:04.29
Isabelle Stadden (United States) – 2:04.37
Claire Curzan (United States) – 2:05.09
Leah Shackley (United States) – 2:05.99
Phoebe Bacon (United States) – 2:06.79
Summer McIntosh (Canada) – 2:06.82
Kennedy Noble (United States) – 2:06.97
Audrey Derivaux (United States) – 2:06.99
Charlotte Crush (United States) – 2:07.05
Peng Xuwei (China) – 2:07.22
Tess Howley (United States) – 2:07.79
Anastasiya Shkurdai (Belarus) – 2:07.85
Katie Shanahan (Great Britain) – 2:07.91
United States Athletes in Bold
