2026 U.S. Short Course World Championship Trials
MEN’S 200 FREE– PRELIMS
- World Record: 1:38.61, Luke Hobson (USA) – 2024
- American Record: 1:38.61, Luke Hobson – 2024
- U.S. Open Record: 1:40.62, Luke Hobson (USA) – 2025
- Beijing ‘A’ Qualification Time: 1:43.48
Finalists:
- Luke Hobson (NYAC) – 1:40.51 *U.S. Open Record*
- Ryan Erisman (CAL) –1:41.61
- Gabriel Jett (CAL) – 1:41.73
- Jack Alexy (CAL) –1:41.95
- Mitchell Schott (NYAC) – 1:42.27
- Chris Guiliano (TXLA) – 1:42.31
- Jack Dahlgren (AQJT) –1:42.61
- Kieran Smith (RAC) – 1:42.62
Luke Hobson broke his own U.S. Open Record during prelims of the men’s 200 freestyle on Saturday, touching in a 1:40.51. That broke his previous record of a 1:40.62 that he swam a year ago during the World Cup stop in Westmont.
Split Comparison
| Hobson New US Open Record |
Hobson Old US Open Record |
|
| 50 | 23.35 | 23.27 |
| 100 | 25.41 | 25.42 |
| 150 | 25.54 | 25.75 |
| 200 | 26.21 | 26.18 |
| 1:40.51 | 1:40.62 |
Hobson saw the biggest difference come on his 3rd 50 as he was 0.21 seconds faster today than he was a year ago. He is the top seed heading into tonight’s final.
The 23 year old holds the American and World Records in the event as he has been as fast as a 1:38.61 that he swam back in December 2024 at the 2024 SCM World Championships. He also holds the 2nd fastest performance in history with a 1:38.91 that he also swam at 2024 SCM Worlds.
He is the only swimmer to have been sub-1:40 three times as he also swam a 1:39.94 at the World Cup stop last fall in Toronto. There have only been eight sub-1:40 performances all-time.
