Pan Pacific Championships: Team USA Captures Team Title; Douglass, Short Named Swimmers of the Meet
Behind 19 gold-medal performances and 50 podium appearances, the United States captured the team title at the Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, California. Over four days of action at the William Woollett Aquatics Center, Team USA totaled 540.5 points through the meet’s scoring system, finishing well ahead of Australia, which tallied 409 points. Third place went to Japan (228), and Canada (220) finished fourth.
The American victory was highlighted by three world records, including a global standard from the mixed 400-meter medley relay quartet of Will Modglin, Van Mathias, Gretchen Walsh and Kate Douglass. That squad clocked 3:36.70 on the opening day of the meet to destroy the previous world standard. Meanwhile, Douglass added a pair of individual world records, both in the 50 freestyle. After going 23.49 during Saturday’s prelims, Douglass returned at night and took the record down to a stunning 23.19.
Not surprising, Douglass was named Female Swimmer of the Meet, while Australia’s Sam Short was Male Swimmer of the Meet. Douglass followed her world record in the 50 freestyle with silver medals in the 50 butterfly and 200 breaststroke. As for Short, he followed up his Commonwealth Games triple by repeating the feat, winning the 400 freestyle, 800 freestyle and 1500 freestyle.
With Pan Pacs wrapped up, we have reached the midway point to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Athletes will now shift their focus to next year’s World Championships in Budapest, a meet that will serve as a dress rehearsal of sorts for LA28. Frequently, swimmers try to dial in The United States will hold its Trials for the World Champs from June 8-12 at the Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis.
