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
MEN’S 200 Freestyle- Final
- World Record: 1:42.00 – Paul Biedermann, GER (2009)
- American Record: 1:42.96 – Michael Phelps (2008)
U.S. Open Record: 1:44.10 – Michael Phelps (2008)- 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Winner: Luke Hobson, 1:44.89
- World Aquatics ‘A’ Cut: 1:46.70
Results:
- Luke Hobson (TXLA) – 1:43.73 *US Open Record*
- Gabriel Jett (CAL) – 1:44.70
- Rex Maurer (TXLA) – 1:45.13
- Henry McFadden (JW) – 1:45.22
- Carson Foster (UN) – 1:45.45
- Kieran Smith (RAC) – 1:45.72
- Chris Guiliano (TXLA) – 1:45.73
- Luke Mijatovic (PLS) – 1:46.39
After shaving a hundredth off his best this morning in 1:44.78, Luke Hobson hacked over a second off that in tonight’s final to break Michael Phelps‘ supersuited U.S. Open Record in 1:43.73. That jumps the Texas swimmer from up to 5th all-time, and makes him only the sixth swimmer ever to break the 1:44 barrier.
All-Time Performers, Men’s 200 Freestyle (LCM)
- Paul Biedermann (GER), 1:42.00 – 2009
- Michael Phelps (USA), 1:42.96 – 2008
- David Popovici (ROU), 1:42.97 – 2022
- Yannick Agnel (FRA), 1:43.14 – 2012
- Luke Hobson (USA), 1:43.73 – 2025
The US Open record stood at 1:44.10 which Phelps set at the 2008 Olympic trials in Omaha, and had stood for 17 years.
Hobson was out fast, turning under world record pace at the 50 and hitting halfway in 50.05. That’s far quicker than he normally goes out, and is actually only the third time he’s swum the first 100 under 51 seconds, although he was out in 50.29 in what looked like a trial run for tonight. For reference, in his bronze-medal-winning swim in Paris he was out in 51.37. He threw down another 26-low on the third 50 to hit the wall in 1:16.34, 1.47 seconds under American Record pace.
Whilst he came back to the field a little on the final 50, he still had enough in the tank to touch well under the 1:44 barrier. That makes him one of only two active swimmers to have done so, along with Olympic Champion David Popovici, and after setting new all-time marks in both short course meters and yards so far this year he’ll be co-favorite at worst in Singapore.
| 2023 World Championships | 2024 Olympic Games | 2025 U.S. National Championships- Heats | 2025 U.S. National Championships – Final | |
| 50 | 24.73 | 24.70 | 24.25 | 24.05 |
| 100 | 26.28 (51.01) | 26.67 (51.37) | 26.04 (50.29) | 26.00 (50.05) |
| 150 | 26.74 (1:17.75) | 26.63 (1:18.00) | 26.73 (1:17.02) | 26.29 (1:16.34) |
| 200 | 27.12 (1:44.87) | 26.79 (1:44.79) | 27.76 (1:44.78) | 27.39 (1:43.73) |
| Total | 1:44.87 | 1:44.79 | 1:44.78 | 1:43.73 |
This was the 11th-fastest performance of all time, and puts him in rarefied air. All four men ahead of him have won either World gold, Olympic gold or both.
All-Time Performances, Men’s 200 Freestyle (LCM)
- Paul Biedermann (GER), 1:42.00 – 2009
- Paul Biedermann (GER), 1:42.81 – 2009
- Michael Phelps (USA), 1:42.96 – 2008
- David Popovici (ROU), 1:42.97 – 2022
- David Popovici (ROU), 1:43.13 – 2024
- Yannick Agnel (FRA), 1:43.14 – 2012
- David Popovici (ROU), 1:43.21 – 2022
- Michael Phelps (USA), 1:43.22 – 2009
- Michael Phelps (USA), 1:43.31 – 2008
- Paul Biedermann (GER), 1:43.65 – 2009
- Luke Hobson (USA), 1:43.73 – 2025
Behind Hobson Gabriel Jett took second in 1:44.70, slicing well over two seconds off his best prior to today and becoming just the sixth American man to break 1:45 after Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Luke Hobson, Kieran Smith and Ricky Berens. That made this the first race since the World Champi0nship final in Shanghai in 2011 to see two US men under that mark
I have been hoping Biedermans world record gets taken down. One less super suit record gone.
Go Luke!
For Americans under 1:45, Dave Walters was also 1:44 at 2009 world trials
Ok guys, Hobson was fast and was ahead of the WR at the 150 and it looks like his last 50 was still fast since he didn’t lose any ground to the next guy. But… he was still about 1.7 secs behind the WR at the end… So what’s a realistic split if anyone is going to break that WR? Assuming 25.7 on the last 50 is no longer realistic?
Sub 49 opening split.
That sounds about right. Not going to be easy though. Just note most guys can’t even go sub 49 in 100…
Sub-50 first 100 could get it done but it needs to be a 24/25.5.. the 2nd and 3rd 50s can’t be over 26. Also being a tight race is a must, I just don’t see someone coming home 26-flat unless it’s a dogfight.
For years gabe and luke have raced and Luke has always won, but Jett putts up good swims here and there, such as 2023 ncaa’s in the 200 free. Jett is in good form now, and has finally done the swim he’s had in him for years. He and Luke have no other events and get to do nothing but train the 200 free together before worlds. They’re going to dominate the 200 individually and then after years of being staples of the powerhouse relays that have been Texas and Cal we FINALLY get to see them throw down together. Gabriel jett is going to shock the swimming world again.
Have you seen Jett talking about switching when he warms up for his event and he believes that was the difference today? I thought that was cool
I thought Kieran Smith had been 1:44 individually
Very true, sixth rather than fifth for Jett although he’s still the #4 American
I’m going to be real curious to see what Luke goes at worlds. A full second PB at trials is interesting
It was a master class. He got out ahead of the wash from the other swimmers and stayed there. If he can do that at Worlds he’ll be in the top 2.
These boys have been cooking, and it smells so good