2025 Women’s Division I NCAA Championships: Day 4 Finals Live Recap

2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships

• March 19-22, 2025
• Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatics Center — Federal Way, Washington
• Short Course Yards (25 yards)
• Start Times: Prelims: 10 AM ׀ Finals: 6 PM (Pacific Daylight Time)
• Meet Central
• Official Psych Sheets
• SwimSwam Preview Index
• Live Results
• Live Stream
• Live Recaps:
  • Prelims: Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4
  • Finals: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 

Day 4 Finals Heat Sheets

Event Lineup

• 1650 free
• 200 back
• 100 free
• 200 breast
• 200 fly
• Platform diving
• 400 free relay

The final session of the 2025 Women’s Division I NCAA Championships is here. Tonight’s session promises to be as exciting as the previous 3 days.

One of the most anticipated races of the night is the 100 free, where Gretchen Walsh will be hunting for her own NCAA record. Walsh went 45.19 this morning, putting her within striking distance of her record mark of 44.83, set at last year’s NCAAs.

Another great race should be the 200 fly, where two-time defending champion Emma Sticklen will be going up against NCAA record holder Alex Walsh. Sticklen broke her own meet record this morning with a 1:49.90, while Walsh swam a 1:52.18.

The 200 backstroke will be a rematch of the 100 back last night, where Claire Curzan and Bella Sims had a photo finish. Curzan is the NCAA record holder in the event and went 1:48.01 this morning. Sims was 2nd this morning in 1:49.09. Defending champion Phoebe Bacon will also be in the mix, having swum a 1:49.61 this morning.

Women’s 1650 Freestyle

• NCAA Record: 15:03.21 – Katie Ledecky, Stanford (2017)
• Championship Record: 15:07.70 – Katie Ledecky, Stanford (2017)
• American Record: 15:01.41 – Katie Ledecky (2023)
• U.S. Open Record: 15:01.41 – Katie Ledecky (2023)
• 2024 Champion: Abby McCulloh, Georgia – 15:37.74

Top 8:

1. Jillian Cox (Texas) – 15:33.54
2. Aurora Roghair (Stanford) – 15:39.21
3. Ching Gan (Indiana) – 15:42.40
4. Abby McCulloh (Georgia) – 15:48.03
5. Maya Geringer (California) – 15:48.27
6. Gena Jorgenson (Nebraska) – 15:49.99
7. Mila Nikanorov (Ohio State) – 15:51.95
8. Chase Travis (NC State) – 15:52.06

Jillian Cox led this race from the beginning, but by the time we were well into the middle of the race, she had a commanding lead. With Cox’s swim tonight, she earns her 2nd title of the meet, after having won the 500 free on Thursday night. Her 15:33.54 comes in a bit off her career best of 15:30.33, set at the SEC Championships last month.

Stanford’s Aurora Roghair clocked a 15:39.21 for 2nd tonight, moving firmly into 2nd over the final third of the race. Roghair was off her career best of 15:36.43, which she swam back at the Texas Hall of Fame Invite in November. It was a fitting way to kick off tonight’s session with Texas and Stanford going 1-2, as their locked in a battle for 2nd in the team standings right now.

Indiana’s Ching Gan came in 3rd tonight, matching her finish from last year. Her time of 15:42.40 tonight blew away her career best of 15:46.22, which she swam at the Big Ten Championships last month. Moreover, Gan’s swim tonight marks a program record for Indiana.

Defending champion Abby McCulloh came in 4th tonight with a 15:48.03.

Nebraska’s Gena Jorgenson was incredible in the fastest of the early heats before the heat that swam in finals. Jorgenson popped a huge new personal best of 15:49.99, taking nearly 6 seconds off her previous best. With the swim, she made the podium in this event for the 2nd year in a row, after finishing 8th last year. Jorgenson’s swim tonight marks a program record for Nebraska as well.

Team Standings Update:

1. Virginia – 392
2. Texas – 315
3. Stanford – 309
4. Indiana – 225
5. Tennessee – 195
6. Florida – 186
7. Louisville – 160.5
8. California – 153.5
9. NC State – 125
10. Michigan – 121

Women’s 200 Backstroke

• NCAA Record: 1:46.87 – Claire Curzan, Virginia (2025)
• Championship Record: 1:47.24 – Beata Nelson, Wisconsin (2019)
• American Record: 1:46.87 – Claire Curzan, Virginia (2025)
• U.S. Open Record: 1:46.87 – Claire Curzan, Virginia (2025)
• 2024 Champion: Phoebe Bacon, Wisconsin – 1:48.23

Top 8:

1. Claire Curzan (Virginia) – 1:46.82 (NCAA Record)
2. Bella Sims (Florida) – 1:47.11
3. Phoebe Bacon (Wisconsin) – 1:47.60
4. Leah Shackley (NC State) – 1:48.52
5. Carmen Weiler Sastre (Virginia Tech) – 1:49.22
6. Josephine Fuller (Tennessee) – 1:49.73
7. Erika Pelaez (NC State) – 1:49.81
8. Isabelle Stadden (California) – 1:51.41

In yet another brilliant race between Claire Curzan and Bella Sims, Curzan once again got her hand on the wall first to win the NCAA title. This time, Curzan broke the NCAA record, clipping the previous mark of 1:46.87, which she set at the ACC Championships last month.

Sims came in 2nd with a 1:47.11, making her the 2nd fastest swimmer in history in the event. She led Curzan through the 100 tonight, but wasn’t quite able to maintain that slim lead over the back half of the race.

Defending champion Phoebe Bacon ripped a huge new career best of 1:47.60 for 3rd tonight. With the swim, Bacon is now the 7th fastest performer all-time in this event. Bacon came home on the last 100 faster than either Curzan or Sims, splitting 55.17.

A pair of NC State freshmen made a huge splash tonight, as Leah Shackley came in 4th with a 1:48.52, while Erika Pelaez was 7th in 1:49.81.

Indiana’s Miranda Grana put on a show in the ‘B’ final, ripping a 1:48.73 for a massive new personal best and Indiana program record. Grana had never been under 1:50 in the 200 back prior to tonight. Her swim would have been fast enough for 5th in the ‘A’ final. Still, she picked up an important 9th place finish, along with 9 points for Indiana, who sits in 4th right now.

Team Standings Update:

1. Virginia – 418
2. Texas – 315
3. Stanford – 309
4. Indiana – 234
5. Tennessee – 213
6. Florida – 210
7. Cal – 164.5
8. Louisville – 160.5
9. NC State – 152
10. Wisconsin – 122

Women’s 100 Freestyle

• NCAA Record: 44.83 – Gretchen Walsh, Virginia (2024)
• Championship Record: 44.83 – Gretchen Walsh, Virginia (2024)
• American Record: 44.83 – Gretchen Walsh, Virginia (2024)
• U.S. Open Record: 44.83 – Gretchen Walsh, Virginia (2024)
• 2024 Champion: Gretchen Walsh, Virginia – 44.83

Top 8:

1. Gretchen Walsh (Virginia) – 44.71 (NCAA Record)
2. Torri Huske (Stanford) – 46.01
3. Camille Spink (Tennessee) – 46.68
4. Anna Moesch (Virginia) – 46.94
5. Minna Abraham (USC) – 46.95
6. Stephanie Balduccini (Michigan) – 47.08
7. Lindsay Flynn (Michigan) – 47.21
8. Julia Dennis (Louisville) – 47.41

Gretchen Walsh did it again, breaking her own NCAA record in the 100 free with a 44.71. She was out shockingly fast, even for her, splitting 21.23 on the opening 50. She came home in 23.48, which was also the fastest 2nd 50 split in the field by a wide margin. This win marks Walsh’s 9th individual NCAA title.

Torri Huske swam a new career best of 46.01 to finish 2nd tonight. She clipped her previous best of 46.09, which was set at the ACC Championships last month. As only a junior, Huske will be the fastest returning swimmer for next year.

Tennessee’s Camille Spink clocked a 46.68 for 3rd. The time was a bit off her career best of 46.25, swum at SECs, but was still good for a top 3 finish.

Not only did Virginia have the champion in this event, but freshman Anna Moesch came in 4th as well, swimming a 46.94.

200 free champion Anna Peplowski won the ‘B’ final with a 47.33.

Team Standings Update:

1. Virginia – 455
2. Stanford – 326
3. Texas – 315
4. Indiana – 248
5. Tennessee – 229
6. Florida – 210
7. Louisville – 176.5
8. Cal – 164.5
9. NC State – 152
10. Michigan – 146

Women’s 200 Breaststroke

• NCAA Record: 2:01.29 – Kate Douglass, Virginia (2023)
• Championship Record: 2:01.29 – Kate Douglass, Virginia (2023)
• American Record: 2:01.29 – Kate Douglass, Virginia (2023)
• U.S. Open Record: 2:01.29 – Kate Douglass, Virginia (2023)
• 2024 Champion: Alex Walsh, Virginia – 2:02.07

Top 8:

1. Lucy Bell (Stanford) – 2:04.28
2. Mackenzie Miller (BYU) – 2:05.03
3. Brearna Crawford (Indiana) – 2:05.66
4. Kaelyn Gridley (Duke) – 2:05.91
5. Mona McSharry (Tennessee) – 2:06.08
6. Emily Lundgren (Washington State) – 2:06.18
7. Aimee Canny (Virginia) – 2:07.41
8. Abigail Herscu (California) – 2:08.47

Lucy Bell, a Stanford junior, won her first NCAA title of her career, swimming a 2:04.28 to take the 200 breast. With the performance, Bell cracked her career best of 2:04.60, which she had set at the ACC Championships last month. Her swim also marks a program record for Stanford.

BYU’s Mackenzie Miller ripped a new career best and program record for 2nd tonight, swimming a 2:05.03. Miller was 2nd only to Bell on the back half of the race.

Indiana cracked the top 3, earning some much-needed points for the team. Brearna Crawford ripped a new career best of 2:05.66 in her final collegiate swim of her career.

Washington State’s Emily Lundgren also set a program record tonight, swimming a 2:06.18 for 6th.

Alabama’s Avery Wiseman went wire-to-wire in the ‘B’ final, swimming a 2:06.71 to win the heat by nearly a second.

Team Standings Update:

1. Virginia – 472
2. Stanford – 346
3. Texas – 315
4. Indiana – 264
5. Tennessee – 250
6. Florida – 210
7. Louisville – 176.5
8. Cal – 175.5
9. NC State/Michigan – 152
10. –

Women’s 200 Butterfly

• NCAA Record: 1:49.16 – Alex Walsh, Virginia (2024)
• Championship Record: 1:49.90 – Emma Sticklen, Texas (2025)
• American Record: 1:48.33 – Regan Smith (2023)
• U.S. Open Record: 1:48.33 – Regan Smith (2023)
• 2024 Champion: Emma Sticklen, Texas – 1:50.99

Top 8:

1. Emma Sticklen (Texas) – 1:49.11 (NCAA Record)
2. Alex Walsh (Virginia) – 1:49.88
3. Caroline Bricker (Stanford) – 1:51.55
4. Tess Howley (Virginia) – 1:51.79
5. Hannah Bellard (Michigan) – 1:51.89
6. Lillie Nordmann (Stanford) – 1:52.10
7. Campbell Stoll (Texas) – 1:52.29
8. Greta Pelzek (South Carolina) – 1:53.93

Emma Sticklen got it done once again, winning the 200 fly for the 3rd year in a row. She went out in the greatest fashion in her final individual collegiate swim, taking down the NCAA record with her swim of 1:49.11. Sticklen was out even faster than she was this morning, swimming a 51.02 on the opening 100. She managed to put up a 28.44 on the 3rd before the fatigue caught up with her. The final 50 for Sticklen was 29.65, which was the 3rd-slowest in the field, but it didn’t matter, as her lead was insurmountable by that point.

Alex Walsh put up a huge season best for 2nd, swimming a 1:49.80, which was under the championship record of 1:49.90 that Sticklen set this morning in prelims.

Stanford’s Caroline Bricker, the champion in the 400 IM last night, picked up a big 3rd place finish with a 1:51.55. That swim marks her first time under 1:52 in the event.

Virginia’s Tess Howley swam a personal best of 1:51.79 for 4th, while Michigan’s Hannah Bellard also posted a personal best of 1:51.89, taking 5th.

Tennessee’s Sara Stotler took the ‘B’ final in 1:53.18.

Team Standings Update:

1. Virginia – 504
2. Stanford – 375
3. Texas – 349
4. Indiana/Tennessee – 264
5. –
6. Florida – 214
7. California – 188.5
8. Louisville – 175.5
9. Michigan – 166
10. NC State – 152

Women’s Platform Diving

• 2024 Champion: Viviana Del Angel, Minnesota – 327.90

Top 8:

1. Skyler Liu (Indiana) – 382.15
2. Montserrat Lavenant (LSU) – 375.40
3. Viviana Del Angel (Minnesota) – 371.50
4. Daryn Wright (Purdue) – 358.70
5. Anna Lemkin (Stanford) – 339.60
6. Bayleigh Cranford (Texas) – 328.50
7. Sophia McAfee (Purdue) – 317.10
8. Else Praasterink (Texas A&M) – 278.00

Indiana’s Skyler Liu earned the title in platform diving after a fire alarm caused a delay in the middle of the competition. You wouldn’t have known there was an interruption in the flow of the event, however, as Liu came back and picked up right where she left off.

LSU picked up their highest finish of the meet with Montserrat Lavenant taking 2nd  with a final score of 375.40.

Purdue had their strongest showing of the meet as well, seeing Daryn Wright take 4th, while Sophia McAfee was 7th.

Team Standings Update:

1. Virginia – 504
2. Stanford – 389
3. Texas – 371
4. Indiana – 289
5. Tennessee – 264
6. Florida – 214
7. California – 188.5
8. Louisville – 175.5
9. Michigan – 166
10. NC State – 152

Women’s 400 Freestyle Relay

• NCAA Record: 3:05.84 – Virginia (Douglass, Walsh, Parker, Walsh), 2023
• Championship Record: 3:05.84 – Virginia (Douglass, Walsh, Parker, Walsh), 2023
• American Record: 3:05.84 – Virginia (Douglass, Walsh, Parker, Walsh), 2023
• U.S. Open Record: 3:05.84 – Virginia (Douglass, Walsh, Parker, Walsh), 2023
• 2024 Champion: Virginia – 3:05.89

Top 8:

1. Virginia (Curzan, Moesch, Walsh, Walsh) – 3:06.01
2. Tennessee (Spink, Fuller, Jansen, Douthwright) – 3:08.63
3. Louisville (Albiero, Dennis, Larsen, Mehraban) – 3:08.71
4. Michigan (Balduccini, Kendall, Newman, Flynn) – 3:09.07
5. Stanford (Johnson, Nordmann, Huske, Wilson) – 3:09.38
6. USC (Buinaia, Famous, Tuggle, Abraham) – 3:10.36
7. Texas (Gemmell, Sticklen, Nesty, Arens) / Indiana (Peplowski, Dewitt, Grana, Paegle) – 3:10.47 (Tie)
8. –

The Virginia team of Claire Curzan, Anna Moesch, Alex Walsh, and Gretchen Walsh nearly broke the NCAA record UVA set 2 years ago, with a team that also featured the Walsh sisters. Curzan was out in 47.07, followed by Moesch in 46.86, then Alex in 47.04, and Gretchen in 45.04. Tennessee was actually leading the Cavaliers through the 3rd leg of the race, but things immediately changed when Gretchen Walsh dove in.

Tennessee’s relay put on a great performance, seeing Camille Spink (46.90), Joesphine Fuller (46.48), Ella Jansen (47.40), and Brooklyn Douthwright (47.85) combine for a 3:08.63, finishing 2nd.

Louisville’s team of Gabi Albiero, Julia Dennis, Caroline Larsen, and Lucy Mehraban took 3rd in 3:08.71, fueled in large part by a 46.52 from Dennis on the 2nd leg.

Torri Huske was brilliant on Stanford’s relay, splitting a 45.77 on the 3rd leg, which was the 2nd fastest split in the field only to Walsh.

Bella Sims led the Florida relay off in 46.53, marking the fastest lead-off split in the field tonight. Florida came in 9th with a 3:10.82. Sims’ 100 time would have been 3rd in the individual 100 free tonight.

With that, the meet has concluded and Virginia has won their 5th consecutive NCAA title. Stanford held onto 2nd, leaving Texas in 3rd. The relay saw Louisville edge ahead of Cal for 7th.

Final Team Standings:

1. Virginia – 544
2. Stanford – 417
3. Texas – 394
4. Indiana – 312
5. Tennessee – 298
6. Florida – 232
7. Louisville – 209.5
8. California – 202.5
9. Michigan – 196
10. NC State – 164
11. USC – 130
12. Wisconsin – 126
13. Miami (FL) – 75.5
14. Ohio State – 66
15. Alabama – 65
16. Georgia – 58
17. North Carolina – 57
18. Purdue – 53
19. Arizona State – 41.5
20. Virginia Tech – 37
21. Duke – 33
22. LSU – 32
23. BYU – 29
24. South Carolina – 28
25. Kansas – 25
26. Texas A&M – 22
27. Minnesota/Pitt – 21 (Tie)
28. –
29. Arizona – 20
30. Southern Illinois – 17
31. Houston – 16
32. Cincinnati – 15
33. Washington State – 14
34. Nebraska – 13
35. Auburn – 10
36. Florida State – 8
37. UCLA – 7
38. Princeton/Ohio – 6 (Tie)
39. –
40. Arkansas – 4
41. Rutgers/Akron – 2
42. –
43. Fresno State – 1