Get ready for an exciting day of swimming as the 2026 Pro Swim Series kicks off in Westmont! Today's preliminary heats will showcase some of the world's top swimmers battling it out in the men's and women's 200 back, 50 fly, 200 breast, and 100 free events. But here's where it gets interesting: the men's 800 free and the eight 100-meter races are the 'super events' of this leg, offering increased prize money and more opportunities to shine.
Let's dive into the action and explore the key contenders in each event.
Women's 200 Backstroke - Prelims
Regan Smith, the American record holder and second-best performer in history, dominated the women's 200 back prelims with a time of 2:07.82, nearly two seconds ahead of the field. Isabelle Stadden, a rising star from the Aquajets Swim Team, joined Smith in the final heat and secured the second spot with a time of 2:09.65. Wisconsin's Phoebe Bacon, the 2022 World Championship silver medalist, qualified third with a time of 2:10.35.
Men's 200 Backstroke - Prelims
Yeziel Morales, a native of Puerto Rico and member of Mission Viejo Nadadores, led the men's 200 back prelims with a time of 2:00.78. Four-time Olympic champion Leon Marchand finished second with a time of 2:01.52, while three-time NCAA champion Destin Lasco qualified eighth. Marchand and Lasco both seemed to be conserving energy, as they have other events on their schedule for this session.
Women's 50 Butterfly - Prelims
Australian Lily Price set the pace in the women's 50 fly prelims, winning the final heat with a time of 26.13. Canadian Taylor Ruck took second with a time of 26.55, while Bermudan Emma Harvey qualified sixth with a time of 26.86. FAST Swim Team's Natalie Kan impressed with a new lifetime best of 26.67, moving her into the final in third place.
Men's 50 Butterfly - Prelims
Dutch freshman Sean Niewold, representing Alabama, blasted his way to the top of the men's 50 fly prelims with a time of 23.04. Michael Andrew, a strong starter, fired off a time of 23.24 to claim the second spot. FAST teammates Calvyn Justus and Santiago Grassi earned the fourth and fifth seeds, respectively, with Justus winning his heat despite being entered with a yards time.
Women's 200 Breaststroke - Prelims
Reigning Olympic and world champion Kate Douglass glided to the top time in the women's 200 breast prelims with a time of 2:28.71, over two seconds ahead of the field. Canadian Sophie Angus secured the second spot with a time of 2:31.13. Mexican native Melissa Rodriguez won the opening heat and qualified third, while Harvard's Stephanie Iannaccone, fresh off a lifetime best in the SCY 200 breast, advanced in fourth.
Men's 200 Breaststroke - Prelims
Former Virginia Tech Hokie AJ Pouch took control of the men's 200 breast prelims, winning the penultimate heat with a time of 2:12.49. Pouch was the only swimmer to split sub-34 on both the second and third 50, showcasing his impressive middle 100 split of 33.32/33.95. Carson Foster, a former Longhorn Elite Invite competitor, took second in Pouch's heat with a time of 2:14.81.
Women's 100 Freestyle - Prelims
Rylee Erisman, Simone Manuel, and Kate Douglass comfortably advanced to the semi-finals of the women's 100 free with the top three seeds. Erisman, the 16-year-old winner of the Austin Pro Swim 100 free, clocked the fastest time of 54.78. Manuel, the U.S. Open champion, qualified second with a time of 54.87, while Douglass, fresh off her 200 breast victory, advanced in third with a time of 54.98.
Men's 100 Freestyle - Prelims
The men's 100 free prelims saw a tight battle, with several swimmers advancing to the semi-finals. Stay tuned to see who will make it through to the final and claim the top prize in this exciting event!
