Katharine Berkoff Cracks 27.05 50 Back PSS Record, Top Time in the World this Season

2026 Indianapolis Pro Series

• June 17-20, 2026
• Indianapolis, IN
• LCM (50 meters)
• Meet Central
• Psych Sheets
• Live Results
• Live Stream: USA Swimming Network (Downloadable App)
• Live Recap:
  • Prelims: Day 1
  • Finals: Day 1

Women’s 50 Backstroke – Prelims

• World Record: 26.86 – Kaylee McKeown, AUS (2023)
• American Record: 26.97 – Katharine Berkoff, USA (2025)
• U.S. Open Record: 26.97 – Katharine Berkoff, USA (2025)
• Pro Series Record: 27.13 – Kylie Masse, CAN (2025)

Top 8:

1. Katharine Berkoff (Wolfpack Elite) – 27.05 ***NEW PSS RECORD***
2. Isabelle Stadden (Aquajets Swim Team) – 27.18
3. Olivia Smoliga (Texas Ford Aquatics) – 27.78
4. Claire Curzan (TAC Titans) – 27.98
5. Rhyan White (Wolfpack Elite) – 28.01
6. Maggie Wanezek (Wisconsin Aquatics) – 28.03
7. Kaitlyn Owens (Texas A & M University) – 28.07
8. Leah Shackley (NC State University) – 28.15

For the 2nd consecutive day, a Pro Swim Series record has fallen in the prelims in Indianapolis, this time, it comes at the hands of reigning World Champion Katharine Berkoff in the 50 backstroke, as she downs Canadian Kylie Masse‘s 27.13 standard from last year in 27.05, moving her up to the top of the world standings this season.

That time moves her past current World Record holder Kaylee McKeown of Australia as the fastest time in the world this season, clipping McKeown’s 27.13 from just ten days ago at Australian Trials.

Berkoff’s performance also ranks as the 6th-fastest time ever, though she already holds the 2nd-fastest performance at 26.97.

In the same race as Berkoff was Isabelle Stadden, who has been on a tear so far this season, and this morning was no different—swimming to yet another lifetime best time in 27.18. That swim puts her ahead of Mollie O’Callaghan in the #3 position in the world this season, and catapults her from the 22nd fastest performer all time in the 50 back to the 12th fastest performer all time.

Stadden previously held a best time of 27.29 at the Ft Lauderdale Open in late April.