2025 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Tuesday, June 3 – Saturday, June 7, 2025
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Indiana University Natatorium
- LCM (50 meters)
- World Championship Selection Criteria
- SwimSwam Preview Index
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheets (Updated 6/02)
- Live Results
- How To Watch (USA Swimming Network)
- Prelims Live Recap: Day 1 | Day 2
- Finals Live Recap: Day 1 | Day 2
Luke Hobson unleashed a big 200 free in Indianapolis, clocking a 1:43.73 to become the 5th fastest performer ever (and the first American to swim under 1:44 since 2009). Hobson was blunt about his goals moving forward, stating after the race that he’s shooting to win a world title, both individually and on a relay. He also said that in his lifetime, he’s working toward the world record of 1:42.00.
The critical split for Hobson to make his goal come true relies on how efficiently he could calibrate the 3rd lap’s speed prior to emptying his pistol magazine in home stretch.
While it’s well anticipated that you have your work cut out for coming home swiftly enough, just as how he swam in the last 15m yesterday.
Long way to go, but not categorically undoable.
p.s.:
Popovici: 2022 Euros 24.10 50.35 (26.35) 1:16.96 (26.61) 1:42.97 (26.01)
Hobson: 2025 Trials 24.05 50.05 (26.00) 1:16.34 (26.29) 1:43.73 (27.39)
People saying he’s got no shot at the WR. I thought Townley going 1:29.5 was peak 200 free swimming until I watched Luke go 1:28.3. If he wants it and believes in his ability, which he clearly does, he’ll get it
I mean, the difference between Luke and Townley in LCM is now about the same as it is in SCY. I wouldn’t use the 1:28.3 to claim that Luke can go faster
This might be an unpopular take but I would love to see him swim the 200 in a supersuit just to see what he could do, even if it doesn’t count as a record. No PEDs though.
All in for this. In the Enhanced games the juiced guys with supersuits fill up the heat and have the current fastest person in that event in just a supersuit and no juice. I have a feeling those suits gave a bigger advantage than the juice. We will never know because they are introducing both variables at once.
He’s got the right idea being at 1:16.3 at 150. I’d think he’ll need to be 1:15.4 and finish with a 26.4 final 50 which means probably out in 49.5 and a 25.9 3rd 50.
Looking at his sc swims he is pretty good at holding it together that 4th 50 compared to the 3rd, but LC is a different beast. I don’t think it’s humanly possible to be a 51+ coming home without a suit if ur out under 50. Its gotta be a 49.6 at worst.
Best case scenario dream race if he does it vs if pop would do it (based on historic strategies/ strengths):
Hobson
23.7
25.7 (49.4)
25.9 (1:15.3)
26.5… Read more »
Mad respect to Hobson for having lofty goals and being willing to say them publicly.
but when wiffen says them…
I mean, Wiffen published his WR goal every season, this is the first time Hobson does it.
Love Hobson and appreciate him setting lofty goals but he doesn’t have a chance.
Whoever breaks the 1:42 barrier will likely be 46 high/3:42 freestyler and Hobson just isn’t there
What if he’s just a good 200m freestyler?
If he keeps getting improved then he has a chance
If I improve enough I also have a chance. ……….
in principal this makes sense, but some people are just one trick ponies and Hobson seems to be one of them. That’s not a bad thing; in fact it probably allows him to put more focus on the 200 than someone like Pan or Popovici. Hobson has already blown our minds in the SCY 200 without being the best at the 100 and 500 SCY.
Counter-point: specializing in a single distance will give him a better shot at the WR, rather than becoming some jack/master of all distances Pan Zhanle-type guy.
Zhanle being the one swimmer I can think of anywhere close to resembling the build you just laid out
He has no chance at the WR. No one currently alive or in elite competition has.
Popovici’s the closest to the 200m free WR atm and he’s been training the 50 over the 400 in order to achieve it (He declared that a faster first 50 will help him with both of his 2 main events).
Knew his speed was improving but didn’t realise he’d spoken about it. Is there an article?
There was in Romanian after he had his PB in 50m free at the Nationals.
Titmus is not that good in 100 freestyle and has an incredible 200
Yeah, but she also has an incredible 400.
Titmus has 400 free WR holder and one of the greatest mid-d female freestyler.
Let’s see if Hobson swims 3:39
This WR will be there forever. Just Like the womens doped 400 meter dash.
3:42 is definitely not equivalent in the slightest
I think to break the 200 free WR you have to be really good at … the 200 free.
Admittedly he’s still a long way from 1:42.00, but I don’t think it’s accurate to say he doesn’t have a chance. He keeps improving and there’s no reason to think he can’t keep chipping away at it. We’ll see what he does at world champs.
Also, he’s 21. Phelps swam his best 200 free at the age of 23 and his best 200 IM at 26.
I think in order to break 1:42 you need to be a good 200 freestyler
Does Hobson have to go 46 and 3:42 to impress you before he can admit 1:41.99 is his goal?
Or if he goes 1:41.99 do we just say “Well see he can clearly go 46 and 3:42”
Luke has managed to go fastest at the biggest meet final almost every time recently, including Paris. I think we see 43 low in Singapore with Popovici pushing him
1:41.99 is such a tough time to achieve, you either have to be out in 49 and back in 52-low or out in 50-low and back in 51. Those are insane splits.
Hobson can do 100 free in 48.5 and come beck home in 53.4..but its a huge ask
I think the blueprint for breaking the LCM WR will be similar to the SCY best time – go out fast and hold on. Without a supersuit, no one is coming back in 51. Realistically, someone will have to go out in 49 low and come back in 52.x to have even a little chance in breaking 1:42.