RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesGretchen Walsh nearly broke her own world record to win the U.S. title in the 50m freestyle as she prepares for the biggest international meet of the year.
Walsh clocked 23.60 seconds, the third-fastest time in history, in Irvine, California.
The only faster times are Walsh's world record of 23.55 from June 28 and Virginia training partner Kate Douglass' former world record of 23.59 from June 19.
Walsh takes that momentum into the Pan Pacific Championships in two weeks, also in Irvine. Pan Pacs are for swimmers from outside of Europe, while Europeans compete in their own continental championships this month.
SWIMMING NATIONALS: Results
Also Saturday, nine-time Olympic gold medalist Caeleb Dressel capped his best swim meet in two years by claiming his second win in four races.
Dressel, a nine-time Olympic gold medalist, won the men's 50m fre in 21.35 seconds, his best time in four years.
Dressel ranks third in the world this year by best time after 2024 Olympic gold medalist Cam McEvoy of Australia (20.88 world record) and Russian Egor Kornev (21.06).
Earlier this week, Dressel won the 100m free — his first top-level race victory since the 2024 Olympic Trials — with his best time since the 2024 trials.
He was also runner-up in the 50m fly in his best time since the 2022 World Championships and runner-up in the 100m fly in his best time since the 2024 trials.
While nationals marked Dressel's biggest meet of 2026, other stars are prepping for the Pan Pacific Championships in two weeks, also in Irvine. The Pan Pacs roster was determined by top times from last summer. Dressel, who took time off after the Paris Olympics, did not make the Pan Pacs team.
Earlier Saturday, Douglass became the fourth-fastest woman in history in the 100m free on Saturday.
The Olympic 200m breaststroke gold medalist swam 51.93 in a time trial in Irvine. That’s five hundredths off Virginia training partner Anna Moesch’s American record.
The only faster women in history than Moesch and Douglass are world record holder Marrit Steenbergen of the Netherlands (51.68) and former world record holder Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden (51.71).
Ryan Erisman won his third national title this week, taking the 800m free in 7:43.53 to become the second-fastest American in history behind Olympic gold medalist Bobby Finke.
Erisman, a rising Cal sophomore, also won the 200m free and 400m individual medley.
Maximus Williamson went from the last qualifier into the men's 200m IM final to winning the national title.
Williamson, a rising University of Virginia sophomore, clocked 1:56.40 to become the second-fastest American teen in history after Michael Phelps.
Kate Douglass took different strokes to swimming success
Kate Douglass, a Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist, is now the world’s most versatile swimmer.
Nick Zaccardi ,
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