U.S. Open, Day Two Finals (Women): Summer McIntosh Rips U.S. Open Record in 400 Freestyle; No. 2 Time in History
The United States’ Kate Douglass will try to keep her recent momentum rolling when the second night of the U.S. Open is held on Thursday night at the University of Texas. Coming off a pair of short-course world records in the 100-meter freestyle during the World Cup tour of North America, Douglass will race as the top seed in a pair of finals at the U.S. Open – the 200 individual medley and 50 freestyle.
During the morning session, Douglass posted a time of 2:10.50 to book Lane Four for the final of the 200 medley. She followed that effort by going 24.49 in the 50 freestyle, which was faster than the 24.67 of teammate Gretchen Walsh. Meanwhile, Canadian Summer McIntosh will chase a sub-4:00 outing in the final of the 400 freestyle, having managed a prelims performance of 4:00.68.
Here is a look at the Day Two women’s finals from the U.S. Open:
Women’s 50 Backstroke
The reigning world champion in the event, Katharine Berkoff registered an impressive victory in the 50 backstroke, on the strength of a swim of 27.28. The top seed after leading prelims, Berkoff commanded the race from the start and finished ahead of Regan Smith, who claimed second place in 27.52. Canadian Ingrid Wilm edged Leah Shackley for third place, 27.87 to 27.88.
Berkoff has enjoyed a superb 2025 season, headlined by the top time in the world, a 26.97. In addition to grabbing gold in the 50 back at the World Champs, she was the bronze medalist in the 100 backstroke.
Women’s 400 Freestyle
There wasn’t any doubt about the outcome of the 400 freestyle at the Jamail Swim Center. The only question was the margin of victory for Summer McIntosh, and how far under the four-minute barrier she could get. Ultimately, the world-record holder in the event prevailed by 15 seconds, picking up the win in 3:55.37, which was good for the second-fastest time in history. Only McIntosh, with a 3:54.18, has been faster.
Now training at the University of Texas under the watch of coach Bob Bowman, McIntosh was forced to withdraw from the World Cup circuit due to illness. So, the U.S. Open marked her return to competition and served as an opportunity to close out the year in strong fashion. Obviously, McIntosh succeeded in that chase, as she was on world-record pace for the majority of the race, before falling off slightly over the final 100 meters.
Women’s 200 Individual Medley
Last summer, the United States’ Kate Douglass opted to bypass the 200 individual medley, an event in which she was the Olympic silver medalist. At the U.S. Open, Douglass returned to the discpline and revealed why she is one of the best. Pulling away from the field in the breaststroke, Douglass recorded a time of 2:07.85 to place more than a second ahead of teammate Alex Walsh (2:09.18) and Canada’s Mary-Sophie Harvey (2:09.19).
The 200 IM was the first of two finals on the night for Douglass, who was also the top seed in the 50 freestyle.
Women’s 50 Breaststroke
Ireland’s Mona McSharry, a product of the University of Tennessee, topped the competition in the 50 breaststroke, covering her length of the pool in 30.48. Five women broke the 31-second barrier in the event, with second place going to Skyler Smith in 30.59.
Women’s 50 Freestyle
Make it a double for Kate Douglass. About an hour after winning the 200 individual medley, Douglass showed her versatility by blistering through the 50 freestyle in 24.20. Douglass has been on a freestyle tear, having set a pair of world records in the short-course version of the 100 freestyle during the World Cup. At the U.S. Open, she heads into 2026 with long-course momentum in the 50 freestyle.
Finishing in second place was Simone Manuel, who dialed up a strong effort of 24.42. Third went to Gretchen Walsh in 24.57.
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