Caeleb Dressel wins 100m freestyle at U.S. Nationals, swims two fastest times since 2024
Caeleb Dressel is back.
The nine-time Olympic gold medalist went out first and held off a stacked field to win the men's 100 freestyle in 47.70 on night one of U.S. Nationals. This marks his fastest swim since the 2024 Olympic Trials in a statement effort that the former Olympic champion in this event is trending toward his old form. It capped a big day for Dressel, who had already served notice with a sub-48 prelims swim earlier in the day.
Four men broke 48 seconds in the final, a level of depth that can energize fans of Team USA. Brooks Curry took second in 47.81, Patrick Sammon was third in 47.87, and Virginia's Maximus Williamson, fresh off his impressive freshman year, grabbed to fourth in 47.93. Perhaps most notably, American record holder Jack Alexy was seventh, a sign he's saving his best for the Pan Pacific Championships in August. Jerry Fox, Grant House and Henry McFadden rounded out the field.
The other headline swim of the night came in the women's 100 freestyle, where Virginia's Anna Moesch broke her own American Record in 51.88.
It was a busy first night at the 2026 U.S. Swimming National Championships, here are the highlights and race videos from Irvine:
Bellard holds off Michigan teammate Bella Sims to win women's 200 butterfly national title
Michigan's Hannah Bellard held off a hard-charging Bella Sims in a close finish in the 200 butterfly, with Bellard touching in 2:06.86 to Sims' 2:07.19. Bellard dropped 3.06 seconds over the course of the day and earned the win in a time that ranks her No. 5 in the world in 2026. Lindsay Looney took third in 2:07.26, followed by Emily Brown, Rachel Klinker, Bailey Hartman, Carli Cronk and defending NCAA 200-yard champion, Texas' Campbell Stoll rounding out the final.
In the 18-and-under race, 16-year-old Audrey Derivaux won the junior title in 2:07.86, a time that would have placed fourth in the senior final, punching her ticket to the Junior Pan Pacific Championships team and continuing to stamp herself as one of the sport's brightest young talents.
Luca Urlando out-touches Ilya Kharun for men's 200 butterfly national title
Reigning World Champion Luca Urlando led wire-to-wire in the men's 200 butterfly, touching in 1:54.45, the third-fastest time in the world in 2026, to hold off a hard-charging Ilya Kharun by just 0.14. Kharun, the Paris bronze medalist in this event now representing the U.S. after representing Canada internationally, took second in 1:54.59, the fourth-fastest time in the world this year.
Wisconsin's Enzo Solitario moved into third with a personal-best 1:54.99, edging 2026 Big Ten 200-yard butterfly champion Tyler Ray for the final spot in the top three. Mitchell Schott, Indiana's Andrew Shackell, Florida State's Logan Robinson and Jack Dahlgren completed the field.
Anna Moesch dominates women's 100 freestyle field in new American Record time
Virginia's Anna Moesch broke her own American record with a stifling 51.88, lowering her time as the the No. 3 performer in history and No. 2 in the world this year. Moesch has had an impressive 2026, already breaking the 100 meter freestyle American Record earlier in the season.
Junior World Champion Rylee Erisman secured second in 52.92, just .05 back ahead of Indiana's Liberty Clark. Two-time defending SEC 100-yard champion Camille Spink of Tennessee finished fourth. Kristina Paegle, Cadence Vincent, NC State's Erika Pelaez and Louisville's Caroline Larsen rounded out the championship heat.
Kate Hurst takes women's 800 Freestyle title
Kate Hurst claimed the win in 8:28.33, holding off Gena Jorgenson (8:31.18) and Sydney Schoeck (8:32.44) for the title. Brinkleigh Hansen (8:33.05) and Katie McCarthy (8:33.94) rounded out the top five, with Paige Downey (8:35.07), Mila Nikanorov (8:35.47) and Zayda Miehl (8:35.56) closing out a tightly packed final — the last three finishers separated by just half a second.
William Mulgrew outlasts field in men's 1500 Freestyle
William Mulgrew ran away with the win in 14:58.50, the only swimmer to break 15 minutes, well clear of runner-up Sean Green (15:07.03) and Luka Mijatovic (15:08.12) in third. Ahmed Hafnaoui held on for fourth in 15:14.43, narrowly ahead of Max Carlsen (15:14.76) and Aiden Hammer (15:14.80) in a tight battle for fifth. Carson Hick (15:15.07) and Joshua Brown (15:18.84) closed out the field.
Tomorrow's Schedule — Day 2 (Wednesday, July 29)
Prelims begin at 9 a.m. PT (12 p.m. ET); finals at 6 p.m. PT (9 p.m. ET), streaming live on USA Swimming's YouTube channel with finals also on Peacock.
Women's & Men's 200 Freestyle
Women's & Men's 200 Breaststroke
Women's & Men's 200 Backstroke
Women's & Men's 50 Butterfly
