The final day of the 2025 U.S. Open promises to be filled with thrilling competitions and memorable performances. But here's where it gets controversial... some of the outcomes and strategic entries could spark debate among fans and experts alike. The event, held from December 3-6 in Austin, Texas, takes place at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center, featuring a packed schedule that includes the 50-meter long course meters (LCM) races. The preliminaries kick off at 10 a.m. EST, followed by the finals in the evening, starting at 7 p.m. EST — with an earlier start of 5 p.m. on day one. For viewers and participants, all the action is available via Meet Central, live results, and live recap updates.
As we approach the concluding day, it’s an exciting lineup of races, including sprints like the 50 butterfly and 100 freestyle, as well as mid-distance battles such as the 200 backstroke, 200 breaststroke, and 200 butterfly. The 800 freestyle, a distance event, also begins tonight at 5 p.m., acting as a precursor to the final session.
Gretchen Walsh, who has already made headlines by setting a meet record in the 100 butterfly, will take aim at additional titles in the 50 butterfly and 100 freestyle. She enters the 50 butterfly with a commanding lead, more than a second faster than her competitors, while in the 100 freestyle, she faces strong challenges from teammate Kate Douglass and Olympian Simone Manuel. Douglass, a versatile swimmer, also plans to compete in her specialty, the 200 breaststroke, making her a focal point for the day’s races.
Among the standout contenders in the women’s events, Summer McIntosh and Regan Smith are poised for a showdown in the 200 butterfly, with both athletes seeded first and second respectively. McIntosh, fresh off a robust performance in the 400 freestyle, might even be in the running for a new world record. Meanwhile, Smith will also compete in the 200 backstroke, where she’s the top seed, adding a strategic layer to her busy schedule.
On the men’s side, the 200 butterfly is shaping up to be a highlight rivalry, with Olympic champion Leon Marchand clashing against Canadian talent Ilya Kharun. Both are seeded first and second, making tonight’s race highly anticipated. Additionally, Hubert Kos will be involved in a double event in both the 200 backstroke and 200 butterfly, as the top seed in the backstroke and a strong contender in the butterfly.
The sprints, particularly the men’s and women’s 100 freestyle, are expected to continue their tradition of delivering exciting finishes. Jack Alexy, Chris Guiliano, and Patrick Sammon are the top three seeds, with Guiliano notably having broken meet records earlier in the meet during the 50 and 200 freestyle events. Their performances set the stage for a competitive and electrifying final.
In the women’s 50 butterfly prelims, Gretchen Walsh reaffirmed her dominance, clocking in at 25.43, well ahead of the field, which all finished under 27 seconds. The second qualifier, Natalie Kan, swam her best with a 26.79, closely followed by Canadian star Mary-Sophie Harvey. Interestingly, a tie for eighth place between Miriam Sheehan and Leah Shackley will require a swim-off to determine who advances to the final, adding a layer of suspense. Similarly, in the men’s 50 butterfly, Canadian Ilya Kharun demonstrated his explosive speed, qualifying with a 23.01, slightly off his best time but still ahead of American Dare Rose, who finished with 23.19. Both athletes showed resilience, narrowly missing their seed times but maintaining their competitive edge.
The women’s 200 backstroke sees Regan Smith entering as the favorite, having already established the U.S. Open record with a 2:03.80 this year. She qualified second this time with a 2:11.47, behind Phoebe Bacon’s strong 2:09.59 performance. On the men’s side, the 200 backstroke featured quick entries as well, with top seeds promising to deliver exciting finishes.
In breaststroke events, Kate Douglass continues to shine, coming into the 200 breaststroke with impressive form, aiming to defend her record from last year. The men’s 200 breaststroke features Qin Haiyang and Matt Fallon, both among the top contenders, with Fallon holding the U.S. Open record and aiming to improve upon it.
The freestyle events are equally captivating. In the 100 freestyle prelims, Torri Huske and Sarah Sjöström are leading the field, with Sjöström’s record of 51.71 still standing as the global benchmark. The men’s 100 freestyle features Jack Alexy, Chris Guiliano, and Patrick Sammon, all eager to seize their moment in what’s likely to be a fiercely fought race.
Other events like the 200 butterfly showcase Regan Smith again on the world stage, with Kharun and Milak (world record holder, 1:50.34) anticipated to produce fast times. In the 200 butterfly, Kristóf Milak’s world record is a tough barrier, but the competition among the best in the world continues to push boundaries.
And this is the part most people miss — the tactical nuances and unspoken battles between swimmers sometimes overshadow even the most impressive times, sparking debate on strategies that could make or break races. Is it a matter of raw talent or clever race execution? Will record-breaking performances dominate, or will strategic pacing determine the winners? What do you think — will the predicted record breakers and favorites come through, or are surprises just around the corner? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation!
