2023 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
- June 27 – July 1, 2023
- Indianapolis, IN
- Indiana University Natatorium
- LCM (50m)
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheet (updated version, 6/26)
- Live Results
- SwimSwam Preview Index
- How To Watch
- Day 1 Prelims Live Recap | Day 1 Finals Live Recap
- Day 2 Prelims Live Recap | Day 2 Finals Live Recap
For nearly a decade, Katie Ledecky was the top women’s 200 freestyle in the United States. However, that all changed on Wednesday night because of 16-year-old Claire Weinstein.
In the women’s 200 free final at the 2023 U.S. National Championships, Weinstein had an incredible swim, running down Ledecky during the last 50 meters of the race to beat her and win by 0.02 seconds in a time of 1:55.26. She dropped over a second from her best time of 1:56.27, which was set in prelims on Wednesday morning.
Weinstein’s time is also ranked #2 all-time in the U.S. 15-16 girls’ age group, only sitting behind Missy Franklin‘s national age group record time of 1:55.06. Overall, she is the fourth-fastest American of all-time.
Top U.S. Performers, Women’s 200 Meter Freestyle:
- Allison Schmitt — 1:53.61 (2012)
- Katie Ledecky — 1:53.73 (2016)
- Missy Franklin — 1:54.81 (2013)
- Claire Weinstein — 1:55.28 (2023)
- Dana Vollmer — 1:55.29 (2009)
Top U.S. 15-16 Girls’ Performers Of All-Time, Women’s 200 Meter Freestyle:
- Missy Franklin — 1:55.06 (2011)
- Claire Weinstein — 1:55.26 (2023)
- Katie Ledecky — 1:56.32 (2013)
- Alex Shackell — 1:56.70 (2023)
- Bella Sims — 1:57.53 (2020)
- Dagny Knutson — 1:57.73 (2009)
Up until the 100-meter mark, both Weinstein and Ledecky were trailing Bella Sims. However, Ledecky turned in first at the 150-meter mark and was 0.28 seconds ahead of Weinstein. It looked like Ledecky was about to win until the last few meters of the race, when Weinstein came charging home to beat her.
Splits Comparison:
| Claire Weinstein, 2023 U.S. Nationals Finals | Katie Ledecky, 2023 U.S. Nationals Finals | Claire Weinstein, 2023 U.S. Nationals Prelims | |
| 50m | 27.45 | 27.24 | 27.51 |
| 100m | 28.99 | 28.94 | 29.14 |
| 150m | 29.47 | 29.45 | 29.63 |
| 200m | 29.35 | 29.65 | 29.99 |
| Total | 1:55.26 | 1:55.28 | 1:56.27 |
This year marks the second year that Weinstein and Ledecky finished top two at World Championship trials. In 2022, Ledecky won and Weinstein placed second, but Weinstein was the top American racing individually at the World Championships because Ledecky opted out of the event.
I got an impression that one of several tasks of Ledecky in this race was helping Gemmell (who swam in the next lane) to get on the team by finishing among first 4 swimmers. Gemmell was almost all race on Ledecky’s wave.
Katie Ledecky can focus on the event schedule at the World Aquatics Championships established last year:
400 FR (heats, final)
1500 FR (heats, final)
4 X 200 FR-R (final)
800 FR (heats, final)
5600 meters total
Days 1-3, 5-7
Day 4 provides a full day’s rest subsequent to final of the 1500 FR and prior to the final of the 4 x 200 FR-R. It’s a favorable schedule for Katie Ledecky.
Age group swimmer doing age group things, I knew she had a big drop in her still
The 4×200 relay at worlds is gonna be a spicy affair
Would love to see split comparisons from the top 6!
Meet Mobile
Both titmus and ledecky losing the 200 free to there teammates doesn’t exactly bode well for their chances in the 400 free against Macintosh. Race of the century more like blowout of the century lol.
Im sure they’re both gonna put a really good split on the relay and the last two years Ledecky went 1:55.1.
You do realise this is not works champs? There is another month to go. Neither Titmus or Ledecky need to be fully tapered yet.
Summer might’ve lost to Mollie as well.
if summer was beaten by oleksiak or ruck, you wouldn’t be predicting doom and gloom for her. you’d praise the depth of canadian swimming and be just as bullish about their 4×200 as you have been about summer’s individuals
Hats off to Ron Aitken. Job well done!
It was bound to happen sooner or later. Congratulations to Claire! Katie L is still awesome though