U.S. Open Psych Sheets Released: Summer McIntosh, Leon Marchand Set to Compete (Link Included)
Of late, short-course performances have highlighted action in the pool. While the World Cup circuit in North America produced a number of world records, the upcoming European Aquatics Short Course Championships are expected to generate their own impressive times. But before we close out the 2025 season, there will be one more major chance for athletes to register elite swims in the long-course pool.
The U.S. Open is scheduled for Dec. 3-6, and the competition at the Lee & Joe Jamail Swim Center on the University of Texas campus is rich with big names. With the meet in Austin, the pro training group of coach Bob Bowman figures to take center stage, headlined by Olympic and world champions Leon Marchand, Summer McIntosh, Hubert Kos and Regan Smith.
For McIntosh, the U.S. Open will serve as an opportunity to return to racing. The multi-time Olympic medalist, who joined Bowman at the end of the summer, was expected to compete in the World Cup tour. However, illness forced her out of that competition and delayed her debut as a Longhorn professional. McIntosh’s U.S. Open schedule includes the 400 freestyle and 200 butterfly.
In addition to the Texas Pro Group, Virginia is sending its star triumvirate to the U.S. Open. Alex Walsh, Gretchen Walsh and Kate Douglass are all scheduled to compete, with Douglass coming off a world-record performance in the 100 freestyle during the World Cup. Aside from the Virginia trio, teenage distance star Luka Mijatovic is entered in multiple events.
Internationally, South African Pieter Coetze will race the backstroke events, which could make for some entertaining battles with Kos, the Hungarian standout who flourished during the World Cup.