Where the American Men Sit in the All-Time Top-10 Performer Rankings
As the World Championships near, it seemed an appropriate time to provide a glance at where United States male athletes sit in the historical rankings of the 17 individual events that will be contested in Singapore. In more than half of the events, at least two American men are ranked in the all-time top-10 of performers. Meanwhile, only one event – the 400 freestyle – is void of a U.S. athlete in the top-10. Larsen Jensen is the top-ranked American in the 400 free, sitting 15th.
During the first half of the 2025 season, four American men have become a top-10 performer in an event. While Jack Alexy jumped to No. 6 in the 100 freestyle (46.99), Luke Hobson moved to No. 5 in the 200 freestyle (1:43.73). Additionally, Luca Urlando is now the No. 4 performer in the 200 butterfly (1:52.37) and Bobby Finke is No. 10 in the 400 individual medley (4:07.46).
Given the United States’ historical excellence in the events, it isn’t surprising that the 200 individual medley (five) and 400 medley (six) feature the most American entries.
Here is a look at where American male swimmers rank in the top-10 of individual events that will be contested at the World Championships.
NOTE: Bolded/Italicized Swimmers Will Race the Event in Singapore
50 Freestyle
Caeleb Dressel (No. 3) – 21.04
100 Freestyle
Caeleb Dressel (No. 5) – 46.96
Jack Alexy (No. 6) – 46.99
200 Freestyle
Michael Phelps (No. 2) – 1:42.96
Luke Hobson (No. 5) – 1:43.73
400 Freestyle
None
800 Freestyle
Bobby Finke (No. 9) – 7:38.67
1500 Freestyle
Bobby Finke (No. 1) – 14:30.67
50 Backstroke
Hunter Armstrong (No. 2) – 23.71
Justin Ress (No. 3) – 23.92
Shaine Casas (No. 4) – 24.00
100 Backstroke
Ryan Murphy (No. 3) – 51.85
Aaron Peirsol (No. 5) – 51.94
Hunter Armstrong (No. 6) – 51.98
Matt Grevers (No. 8) – 52.08
200 Backstroke
Aaron Peirsol (No. 1) – 1:51.92
Ryan Lochte (No. 3) – 1:52.96
Tyler Clary (No. 6) – 1:53.41
Ryan Murphy (No. 7) – 1:53.57
50 Breaststroke
Nic Fink (No. 9) – 26.45
100 Breaststroke
Michael Andrew (No. 4) – 58.14
Nic Fink (No. 7) – 58.36
200 Breaststroke
Matt Fallon (No. 6) – 2:06.54
50 Butterfly
Caeleb Dressel (No. 2) – 22.35
100 Butterfly
Caeleb Dressel (No. 1) – 49.45
Michael Phelps (No. 3) – 49.82
200 Butterfly
Michael Phelps (No. 3) – 1:51.51
Luca Urlando (No. 4) – 1:52.37
200 Medley
Ryan Lochte (No. 1) – 1:54.00
Michael Phelps (No. 3) – 1:54.16
Shaine Casas (No. 7) – 1:55.24
Michael Andrew (No. 8) – 1:55.26
Eric Shanteau (No. 10) – 1:55.36
400 Medley
Michael Phelps (No. 2) – 4:03.84
Ryan Lochte (No. 3) – 4:05.18
Chase Kalisz (No. 4) – 4:05.90
Carson Foster (No. 8) – 4:06.56
Tyler Clary (No. 9) – 4:07.31
Bobby Finke (No. 10) – 4:07.46