Ilya Kharun defeats Caleb Dressel in 100m butterfly for second national title of the week
The night's marquee rematch lived up to the billing in the men's 100 butterfly.
A day after breaking Dressel's own U.S. Open record in the 50 butterfly, Ilya Kharun doubled up, winning once again in the 100 fly. Dressel got out first, flexing his iconic start and underwater, but Kharun caught fire over the final 15 meters to run him down and win in 50.05, the top time in the world in 2026.
Dressel touched second in 50.45, still his fastest time in the event since the 2024 Olympic Trials, and the sixth fastest time in the world this year.
Dressel still owns every major record in the event — world, American, U.S. Open and meet records, all set between 49.45 and 49.76. Although tonight's swim wasn't a threat to any of them, it's a sign that his form is trending upwards one again, even at age 29.
Incoming Texas freshman Rowan Cox rounded out the podium in third in 50.54, posting the fastest performance by a 17-18-year-old in American history breaking Paris Olympian Thomas Heilman's National Age Group record.
Here are more of the highlights from Irvine:
Katie Grimes, Ryan Erisman dominate women's and men's 400 Individual Medley
Katie Grimes ran away with the title in the women's 400 IM, dropping nearly three seconds from this morning's prelims to win in 4:33.26. Her time is the fourth-fastest time in the world this year.
Grimes and Bella Sims were locked together through the first 100 meters before Grimes pulled away on the backstroke. Riding a strong middle 200, she cruised to a comfortable win. Sims made the biggest move of the final, surging from sixth in prelims all the way up to second in 4:37.33. Sydney Schoeck held on for third in 4:38.68, just off her prelims time.
Cal's Ryan Erisman led from start to finish in the men's 400 IM for his second win of the week. He moved up from third position in prelims to break 4:10 and take the title in 4:09.57, a big milestone in the event. Erisman’s time ranks as the seventh fastest in the world this year. Indiana's Noah Cakir held on for second in 4:13.28, just ahead of Michael Hochwalt for third.
Tennessee's Mizuki Hirai blasts past field to win women's 100 butterfly
With world record holder Gretchen Walsh not entered, Mizuki Hirai, an Olympic finalist in this event for Japan, stole the show. Now swimming for Tennessee, Hirai blew past the field thanks an extremely fast second 50 to win in 57.52, a huge jump from fifth in this morning's prelims.
Hannah Bellard took second in 58.27, while Erika Pelaez and Bailey Hartman tied for bronze at 58.43.
McKenzie Siroky powers to women’s 50 breaststroke national title
Top seed McKenzie Siroky, who'd already posted the only sub-30 time in this morning's prelims, sprinted home over the final 25 meters of the women’s 50 breast to separate from the field and break 30 again, winning in 29.99. Siroky is the second Tennessee Lady Vol to win this session joining Hirai.
Piper Enge moved up from third in prelims to take second in 30.28, while Anita Bottazzo, an Italian swimmer racing for Indiana University, was third in 30.51.
Watson Nguyen out-touches Michael Andrew to win men’s 50 breaststroke
Watson Nguyen timed the perfect finish to out-dual prelims top seed Michael Andrew in the men’s 50 breast. Nguyen won in the final 26.65, while Andrew settled for second in 26.91. Mitch Mason held position for third, touching in 27.08.
Isabelle Stadden wins second backstroke national title
Isabelle Stadden continued her strong summer in the women’s 50 back, demolishing the field over the one-lap sprint to win in 27.09, the third-fastest time in the world this year.
It's her second standout swim of nationals after her 200 backstroke win. She’ll go for the backstroke sweep tomorrow in the 100. Maggie Wanezek moved up from third in prelims to take second in 27.88, edging Rhyan White (27.93) for the second place spot.
Quintin McCarty wins second consecutive 50 backstroke national title
Quintin McCarty won back-to-back men’s 50 backstroke national championships in, but it was no easy task. McCarty bested Jack Wilkening by only two-hundredths, winning in 24.73 to Wilkening's 24.75. McCarty is slated to represent Team USA in the event at Pan Pacs next month.
Ulises Saravia, the Argentine record holder in the event who swims collegiately for Tennessee, made a big jump from a tie for seventh in prelims to grab third in the final.
Tomorrow's Schedule — Day 4 (Friday, July 31)
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 400 Freestyle
Women's & Men's 100 Breaststroke
Women's & Men's 100 Backstroke
*This story will continue to be updated
