The Swimming World Cup is heating up in Westmont, and Day 2 promises thrilling action! But first, let's dive into the prelims recap to see who's making waves.
Day 2 Prelims: A Showcase of Speed and Talent
The second day of the 2025 Swimming World Cup in Westmont kicked off with a bang, as swimming enthusiasts witnessed a series of record-breaking performances. The stage was set for an exciting day of competition, with the likes of Regan Smith, Gretchen Walsh, Shaine Casas, and Lani Pallister showcasing their prowess in the pool.
Women's 400m IM: A Battle of Champions
The women's 400m IM saw a fierce competition, with Alex Walsh taking the lead in the clubhouse. Walsh, an Olympic medalist and NCAA champion, demonstrated her versatility by racing the 400 IM for the first time in a short-course meter pool at an official meet. Her time of 4:34.99 held strong, even after Justina Kozan's impressive 4:37.97 in the second timed final. This event marked Kozan's debut in the 400 IM in short-course meters, making her the only swimmer besides Walsh to break the 4:40 barrier.
Men's 50m Backstroke: Kos Continues His Dominance
Hubert Kos, fresh from breaking the U.S. Open Record at the Carmel World Cup, proved he's a force to be reckoned with in the men's 50m backstroke. He clocked an impressive 22.73, just a fraction off his U.S. Open Record set the previous weekend. Dylan Carter pushed the pace with a 23.04, while a tie between Kacper Stokowski and Thomas Ceccon at 23.18 added to the excitement. Ceccon, who didn't race the 50m backstroke at the first stop, achieved a lifetime best, surpassing his previous record from the 2022 Swimming World Cup.
But here's where it gets controversial—Miroslav Knedla, who qualified sixth with a 23.33, holds the Czech record at 22.74 from the 2024 Short Course World Championships. Could he be a dark horse in this race? Only time will tell.
Women's 200m Freestyle: A Tight Race
The women's 200m freestyle saw a close battle, with Erika Fairweather leading the pack with a time of 1:53.72. Mollie O'Callaghan, the newly crowned U.S. Open record holder, showcased her consistency by swimming faster than her Carmel prelims time, finishing just ahead of Anna Peplowski. Lani Pallister and Marrit Steenbergen also impressed, narrowly missing the 1:54 threshold.
And the Action Continues...
The prelims set the stage for an exciting day of swimming, with world records and personal bests on the line. As we eagerly await the finals, one question lingers—who will rise to the top and make their mark in the history of the Swimming World Cup? Share your predictions in the comments below!
