The U.S. National Championships continued with Night Three from Irvine, California. Katie Grimes kicked off the session with a strong swim in the 400 IM.
In the history of the 50-meter backstroke, only three women have cracked the 27-second barrier in the event. Could Isabelle Stadden become the fourth member of that exclusive club. After winning the 200 backstroke on Wednesday night, Stadden easily claimed the top seed for the final of the 50 back, going 27.21. That time was nearly a second faster than the No. 2 seed, Rhyan White (28.17), and was not far off Stadden’s personal best, a 27.14 from the Indianapolis stop of the TYR Pro Series.
The 50 backstroke is one of four women’s events that will be contested on the third night of the United States National Championships at the William Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine, California. The evening session will kick off with the 400 individual medley, and will also include the 100 butterfly and 50 breaststroke.
Here is an event-by-event recap of the Night Three action at U.S. Nationals:
Women’s 400 Individual Medley
Katie Grimes trailed Sandpipers teammate Bella Sims after the first 100 then completely took over the race.
Grimes passed Sims before the 150 mark and kept the momentum going, surging to the national championship in a time of 4:33.26, pulling away from the field.
The time was two seconds faster than her prelims time and four seconds faster than Sims, who got to the wall in 4:37.33.
Grimes was about a second and a half off of her career best in the event, a 4:31.81 set at the 2024 Fran Crippen Swim Meet of Champions and was two seconds off Katie Hoff’s American record (4:31.12).
It was a huge swim for Grimes, who has had her ups and downs the past few years both in short and long course. She remained one of the fastest swimmers in the country, but this race proved what she is capable of when she puts everything together.
Sydney Schoeck took the bronze with a swim of 4:38.68, followed by Teagan O’Dell (4:41.06). Emily Brown was fifth at 4:41.19, ahead of Kayla Han (4:43.02).
MLA’s Sophia Umstead, who won the 200 breaststroke on Day Two, took seventh in 4:47.71, ahead of Alexa McDevitt (4:51.51).
The under-18 C final had some speed, too, with Audrey Derivaux getting to the wall in 4:41.09 and Sadie Buckley finishing in 4:41.75.
Women’s 100 Butterfly
Tennessee Aquatic’s Mizuki Hirai used a late surge to win the title in the 100 fly, getting to the wall in 57.52.
Just a few minutes after winning the under-18 final in the 400 IM, Audrey Derivaux did the same in the 100 fly and her time of 58.17 was second overall.
Michigan’s Hannah Bellard was second in the A final with a 58.27, while Erika Pelaez and Bailey Hartman tied for third, both touching the wall in 58.43.
Charlotte Crush finished fifth in 58.55, ahead of Virginia’s Anna Moesch (58.73) and Cal’s Rachel Klinker (58.74) and Texas’ Campbell Stoll (59.97).
Gabi Brito recorded a 58.72 from the under-18 C final that was the seventh-fastest time overall.
Women’s 50 Breaststroke
Tennessee’s McKenzie Siroky got to the wall just under 30 seconds. It was just enough to hold off the field to win a national championship.
Piper Enge finished runner-up with a swim of 30.28, while Indiana’s Anita Bottazzo took third in 30.51.
Alto Swim Club’s Lucy Thomas was fourth in a time of 30.63, followed by Maria Ramos Najji (30.80), Maddy Huggins (31.32), Rachel McAlpin (31.41) and Zara Zallen (31.73).
Women’s 50 Backstroke
Isabelle Stadden was close to breaking the 27-second barrier in the 50 back, winning her third national title of the week.
Stadden, who won the 100 and 200 backstrokes, claimed the gold medal in 27.09 to win by more than half a second.
Wisconsin’s Maggie Wanezek took second in 27.88.
Wolfpack Elite took three of the next four spots was Rhyan White was third (27.93), Erika Pelaez – swimming her second final of the night – was fourth in 28.06.
Wolfpack’s Kennedy Noble tied Alabama’s Cadence Vincent for sixth in 28.19, just behind Morgan Scott (28.15). Alabama’s Emily Jones rounded out the top eight in 28.37.
The under-18 final saw Alyssa Sagle win in 28.03, the fourth-fastest time overall. Gabi Brito was at 28.44 and Maggie Dickinson just one hundredth of a second behind her.
