2025 U.S. OPEN
- December 3-6, 2025
- Austin, Texas
- Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center
- Prelims: 10 a.m. EST
- Finals: 7 p.m EST (Day 1: 5 p.m. EST)
- LCM (50 meters)
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheets
- Live Results
Under new head coach Jack Brown and his staff, Wisconsin’s Phoebe Bacon has gone through a lot of changes this fall. Not only has she had to adapt to a new philosophy and training style, but she has also been moved to the 400 IM group, something she claimed to have wanted since day 1 (Maybe sarcastically? Maybe not? Maybe both?)
Bacon also discusses the adjustment of being a newly turned pro swimmer. She says that especially at meets like the US Open she was at recently, she’s learning how to be more selfish. Naturally, Bacon loves being a teammate and cheering for fellow Badgers when she’s on deck and they’re in the pool. However, as a pro, she’s trying to prioritize putting more of her energy into herself and her own swimming.
Alex Walsh is the person we need the most to really focus on the 400 IM. The talent and versatility is truly unparalleled among U.S. women, and yes, I say that knowing there is Kate Douglass. She’s working on her backstroke, but it is still her weak stroke. I guess in IM you could say Alex’s weak leg is freestyle, but she can throw down a pretty good 200 free so I believe she has the skill to go a low 4:30s in the 400 IM
I hope Alex Walsh watches this. If she had this attitude with her talent, she might at least put up a fight with KD and Summer. But I guess the 100 breast is nice and easy…
Agree. I’m a huge AW fan, but it’s frustrating to see her swim 100 breast over 4IM. The 4IM is relatively open behind Summer, and AW is literally built for it. She’s been 4:34 in one season of training it. I have no doubt she could get down to 4:30-4:31. Why leave an Olympic medal on the table when she’s so talented? Just because KD does the 100 breast doesn’t mean AW should…she missed the final at one of the World Cup stops. Training 4IM would help her close her 2IM so she doesn’t lose so much ground to Summer and KD on the last 50.
Agreed. I think it’s a matter of not liking it…but I hope she reconsiders it! I agree regarding your last sentence. Based on her Paris swim before the DQ, I think if she trains for the 400 IM, she could win. I am the biggest Alex Walsh fan…she is just SO talented across all 4 strokes.
Have her psychiatrically tested
Lmao
I hope she will make the LA team.
For most of us this was a nightmare 😅
Hope this works for her! 400 IM training did wonders for Torri Huske.
I think the 4IM is a weak event for the US women. I am not confident that Katie Grimes can step it up to medal. This is an event that isn’t locked in like the 200 IM if Kate Douglass gets back to racing it.
doesnt sound like shes going to race it seriously but could be worth dropping the 100 back for the 400 im as her 3rd event if the schedule allows for it. i feel like phoebe could be the in 435-445 range (im guessing a 438).
at the very least she should race it at a pro swim series to see what happens
Alex Walsh if you can hear this please 🙏