The 2026 U.S. Short Course World Championships Trials produced a spectacular display of swimming, with six World Record performances in Westmont, Illinois.

Kate Douglass, Jack Alexy, Claire Curzan, Katharine Berkoff and Van Mathias set the record-breaking times, which took place from 28–31 October.

The performances provided an exciting preview ahead of the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m) in Beijing from 1-6 December, as the athletes fought for their qualification and selection on the U.S. Roster.

Kate Douglass produces Record-Equalling and Record-Breaking times in the Freestyle

Douglass delivered a sensational performance in the Women's 50m Freestyle, clocking 22.75 seconds to equal the World Record held by her teammate, Gretchen Walsh. Both athletes train together and enjoy pushing each other when they meet in competition.

Douglass said, "I think it's just super fun that we get to tie the World Record right now. It was bound to happen, you know? I think that's awesome, and I'm excited to race her in Beijing."

Walsh agreed that the strength of the Freestyle sprint is an important motivating factor, adding that "it's really an honor to be in a field where people are going to push you to be your best every single time. I'm always trying to be grateful for that."

Walsh is looking forward to the World Championships and racing in December, highlighting how she is "excited to keep working towards bigger and better things in China".

Douglass also secured this victory ahead of Walsh, who finished in 22.99 seconds, in a highly anticipated clash between two of America's leading sprint swimmers.

Douglass returned to the pool to produce an even more remarkable performance in the Women's 100m Freestyle, setting a new World Record of 49.64 seconds.

The American lowered her own previous world mark of 49.93, set in 2024 when she became the first woman to swim under 50 seconds in the event.

Katharine Berkoff breaks women's 50m Backstroke World Record

Katharine Berkoff produced one of the standout swims of the competition, setting a new World Record in the Women's 50m Backstroke with a time of 25.21 seconds.

Berkoff lowered the previous record of 25.23 seconds, held by fellow American Regan Smith, by two hundredths of a second.

The achievement marked another major milestone for the Olympic medallist, who continues to establish herself among the world's leading Backstroke specialists.

Van Mathias sets new men's 100m Breaststroke World Record

Van Mathias added to the historic trials with a remarkable performance in the Men's 100m Breaststroke.

Mathias touched the wall in 55.14 seconds, breaking the previous World Record of 55.28 seconds held by Belarusian swimmer, Ilya Shymanovich.

The 14-hundredths improvement marked a significant breakthrough for Mathias, who confirmed he is always looking to find ways to reduce his time and be ready for the World Championships (25m) in Beijing.

Mathias also broke the American Record in the 50m Breaststroke, and after that race he said: "there are definitely things I need to work on in the next couple weeks to make sure it's there on the big stage".

Jack Alexy smashes Men's 100m Freestyle World Record

Alexy clocked 44.64 seconds to establish a new World Record, taking an impressive 0.20 seconds off the previous mark of 44.84 - jointly held by Australia's Kyle Chalmers and Russia's Egor Kornev.

Alexy highlighted that the World Record comes as part of his process: "I just kind of just try to think about getting my own personal best time and just trying to become a better version of who I am personally. And I think the rest will come."

His performance confirmed his status as one of the world's leading sprint Freestyle swimmers further building anticipation for the event in Beijing.

Claire Curzan claims first individual World Record

Claire Curzan added another major achievement to the record-breaking week by setting a new World Record in the women's 100m Backstroke.

Curzan clocked 53.92 seconds, lowering the previous World Record of 54.02 held by fellow American Regan Smith. The new record holder said, "It's always fun breaking barriers. It just kind of makes me feel good and shows that I've still got it in me, I still can race."

Curzan also enjoyed an impressive competition in the women's 50m Backstroke, finishing second behind Berkoff, and went on to set an American record in the 200m Backstroke with a time of 1:57.65.

Curzan's performances added another exciting dimension to the American team ahead of Beijing. As she noted, the strength and speed of the squad is something to be excited about: “I think it's great that they set the bar so high because it makes you also rise to the challenge.”

One month to go to Beijing

American swimmers will now turn their attention to the international stage.

At the conclusion of the Trials, the US team announced a 38-strong roster, featuring the five World Record holders and a total of 18 athletes set to compete in their first World Championships.

Among them will be Luke Barr and Anna Peplowski, the nominated wild card athletes who have secured their place in Beijing thanks to standout performances at the Swimming World Cup 2026.