Weinstein Beats Ledecky in 200m Free at U.S. Nationals

At the 2025 U.S. National Swimming Championships in Indianapolis, Claire Weinstein delivered standout performances, notably defeating Olympic champion Katie Ledecky in the 200-meter freestyle with a world-leading time of 1:54.92. Weinstein's victory earned her a berth at the 2025 World Championships, and she also secured a spot in the 800-meter freestyle after finishing second to Ledecky. Ledecky maintained her dominance in the 400-meter freestyle, winning in 3:58.56, while Weinstein finished a strong second in 4:00.05, nearly breaking the four-minute barrier. Weinstein's remarkable late-race speed was evident across multiple events, including out-splitting Ledecky in the second half of the 800-meter freestyle and delivering the fastest final 50 in the 200. These performances mark a significant breakthrough for Weinstein, who credits consistent training and racing experience for her improved results. The championships also saw strong showings from Cal swimmers, with Dare Rose, Gabriel Jett, Keaton Jones, and Jack Alexy all earning spots on the World Championships team.