Where the American Women Stand in the All-Time Top-10 Performer Rankings
Whether assessed through their top-level talent or depth, the American women are a juggernaut at the moment. They carried the United States at last summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, and expectations are high for what they’ll accomplish at the upcoming World Championships in Singapore.
As we did with the American men, Swimming World is providing a look at where the American women rank on a historical basis in the 17 individual events contested at the World Champs. While the U.S. men occupy 38 all-time performer slots, the American women boast 47 entries. Regan Smith leads the way with five top-10 appearances, accomplishing the feat in all three backstroke events, along with the 100 butterfly and 200 fly.
During the first half of 2025, several American women have joined the top-10 in an event for the first time, including Gretchen Walsh in the 50 freestyle and Claire Weinstein in the 400 freestyle.
Here is a look at where American female 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
Gretchen Walsh (No. 8) – 23.91
Kate Douglass (No. 8) – 23.91
100 Freestyle
Simone Manuel (No. 5) – 52.04
200 Freestyle
Allison Schmitt (No. 4) – 1:53.61
Katie Ledecky (No. 6) – 1:53.75
400 Freestyle
Katie Ledecky (No. 3) – 3:56.46
Claire Weinstein (No. 8) – 4:00.05
Leah Smith (No. 10) – 4:00.65
800 Freestyle
Katie Ledecky (No. 1) – 8:04.12
Paige Madden (No. 5) – 8:13.00
1500 Freestyle
Katie Ledecky (No. 1) – 15:20.48
Erica Sullivan (No. 8) – 15:41.41
Kate Ziegler (No. 10) – 15:42.54
50 Backstroke
Katharine Berkoff (No. 2) – 26.97
Regan Smith (No. 5) – 27.10
100 Backstroke
Regan Smith (No. 1) – 57.13
Katharine Berkoff (No. 4) – 57.83
Kathleen Baker (No. 6) – 58.00
200 Backstroke
Regan Smith (No. 2) – 2:03.35
Missy Franklin (No. 3) – 2:04.06
Phoebe Bacon (No. 6) – 2:05.08
Claire Curzan (No. 7) – 2:05.09
Rhyan White (No. 8) – 2:05.13
50 Breaststroke
Lilly King (No. 3) – 29.40
Molly Hannis (No. 6) – 29.71
Jessica Hardy (No. 8) – 29.80
Lydia Jacoby (No. 9) – 29.81
100 Breaststroke
Lilly King (No. 1) – 1:04.13
Jessica Hardy (No. 5) – 1:04.45
Rebecca Soni (No. 7) – 1:04.84
Lydia Jacoby (No. 9) – 1:04.95
Katie Meili (No. 10) – 1:05.03
200 Breaststroke
Kate Douglass (No. 4) – 2:19.24
Rebecca Soni (No. 6) – 2:19.59
Lilly King (No. 10) – 2:19.92
50 Butterfly
Gretchen Walsh (No. 2) – 24.66
100 Butterfly
Gretchen Walsh (No. 1) – 54.60
Torri Huske (No. 3) – 55.52
Regan Smith (No. 5) – 55.62
Dana Vollmer (No. 8) – 55.98
200 Butterfly
Regan Smith (No. 4) – 2:03.84
Mary DeScenza (No. 7) – 2:04.14
200 Individual Medley
Ariana Kukors (No. 3) – 2:06.15
Kate Douglass (No. 5) – 2:06.79
Alex Walsh (No. 8) – 2:07.13
400 Individual Medley
Katie Hoff (No. 8) – 4:31.12
Maya DiRado (No. 9) – 4:31.15