Fort Lauderdale, Florida — Day two of the 2025 Pro Swim Series kicked off with a display of elite talent as standout swimmers prepared to make their mark in a variety of events. Among the highlights, the powerful performances in the women’s medley relay showcased the competitive edge of athletes vying for Olympic glory and world records.
Leading the charge in the women’s 100-meter freestyle was Torri Huske, who came in with a qualifying time of 52.29 seconds. Her heat featured emerging talents like Rylee Erisman and Madi Mintenko, pitted against established star swimmers, including Claire Curzan and Simone Manuel. Another notable name, Kate Douglass, entered as the second seed but faced fierce competition from a deep pool that included Penny Oleksiak and Gretchen Walsh. The presence of Bella Sims, recently announcing her transfer intentions from the University of Florida, added another layer of intrigue.
The women’s 100 breaststroke saw the highly anticipated return of world-record holder Lilly King, who opted out of the previous Sacramento stop. King, seeking to reclaim her competitive edge, was positioned as the top seed. Hoping to challenge her was Olympic teammate Emma Weber, stepping up in this key event. Douglass’s quick turnaround between the 100 freestyle and breaststroke only added to the excitement of the morning heats.
In the men’s 100 freestyle, Caeleb Dressel returned after a hiatus, generating buzz among spectators eager to gauge his form. Facing him in the pool were Olympic fixture Leon Marchand and teammates Chris Guiliano and Hunter Armstrong, making this race one to watch. Marchand, competing in the 400 free, was entered with a US Open record time and appeared to be a strong contender, especially after the withdrawal of other key competitors.
The 100 breaststroke in the men’s category, although lacking Olympic gold medalists in the field, promised thrilling racing led by American record holder Michael Andrew. After a disappointing year previously, Andrew aimed to re-establish himself as a leading figure in American swimming during this competition.
In the women’s 50 backstroke, Kylie Masse set the stage on fire with a new Pro Swim Series record time of 27.13 seconds, surpassing her previous personal best and a mark that signals a shift in her sprint-focused training. Competition remained fierce as Regan Smith, the American record holder, finished strong in her heat while preparing for the 200 butterfly later in the day.
The men’s event likewise showcased stellar performances, with Hubert Kos notching the fastest time in the men’s 50 backstroke at 24.76 seconds. Notably, Shaine Casas and Michael Andrew also advanced to the finals, each capitalizing on their earlier successes in the 100 events.
Among highlights of the day was the women’s 200 butterfly, where Regan Smith displayed outstanding form, completing the distance in 2:06.03. Meanwhile, the men’s 200 butterfly heats were closely contested, with Jack Dahlgren leading the morning with a time of 1:56.83.
As the day progressed, the buzz around Katie Ledecky’s 400 freestyle swim grew, culminating in her impressive morning time of 4:03.45. With Summer McIntosh and Claire Weinstein also pushing toward personal bests, the stage was set for exciting matchups in the evening finals.
In the men’s 400 freestyle, Kieran Smith emerged as the frontrunner with a time of 3:49.81, showcasing his strength as he heads into the final events of the evening. Following closely were Ryan Erisman and Luke Hobson, dropping significant seconds off their previous times.
As the preliminaries concluded, the anticipation for tonight’s finals soared. Athletes are not just competing for medals; they are setting the tone for the 2024 Olympics. With their eyes firmly set on the podium, swimmers are aiming to push boundaries and set new standards in the fast-paced world of competitive swimming.