Katie Ledecky Lowers Jr World, US Open, and National Meet Records With 3rd Fastest 400 Freestyle In History

Katie Ledecky held on through the first 350 of her 800 freestyle under WR pace on day 1, and this morning she was close to the same thing in the 400 freestyle, staying under World Record pace through 300. Ledecky seperated herself from the rest of the heat in the first 100, taking it out under World Record pace.

She reached the wall with a final time of 3:59.89. That will stand as the new Jr World record, US Open Record, and National Meet record. It is also the third fastest 400 meter freestyle ever swum. Federica Pelligrini set the World Record in 2009 at 3:59.15, and the only swimmer that has ever been faster that Ledecky was today in this race is Ledecky. She was .07 seconds faster at the 2013 World Championships last year in Barcelona.

Ledecky is dangerously close to the American and World record in this event, and with how well she was been swimming this season, the World Record is not out of reach for her tonight. Last year she had Lotte Friis to push her to a best time, but it may be more challenging swimming along by herself tonight, although we know that has never stopped her before.

Ledecky broke the Jr World Record at the 2014 Mesa Grand Prix with a 4:03.84.

Katie Hoff had the previous US Open Record from 2008 with her time of 4:02.20. She also held the National Meet Record at 4:02.32.

Take a look at her splits below:

• 50) 28.25
• 100) 30.00 – 58.25
• 150) 30.15
• 200) 30.19 – 1:00.34 – 1:58.29
• 250) 30.76
• 300) 30.44 – 1:01.20 – 2:59.79
• 350) 30.41
• 400) 29.69 – 1:00.10 – 3:59.89

For a full recap of the day 4 prelims session, click here.