A Look at the NCAA Women’s Records: Claire Curzan Rules 200 Backstroke as UVA Chases Another Title
In a few weeks, the University of Virginia will begin the 2026-27 season with competition in the College Swimming League. That meet will officially jumpstart the Cavaliers’ chase for a seventh consecutive NCAA women’s championship. As that quest nears, Swimming World is running a list of the current NCAA records, including Claire Curzan’s standard in the 200-yard backstroke (1:46.09). Curzan is the only active college female who owns an individual NCAA record.
The oldest record on the books is Missy Franklin’s mark in the 200 freestyle, the 1:39.10 she produced at the 2015 NCAA Champs. That time could come under pressure this season from the likes of Virginia’s Anna Moesch and Indiana’s Liberty Clark. Meanwhile, Virginia holds all five relay records and 13 of the 19 records that are recognized in college swimming.
Here’s a Look at the NCAA Women’s Records:
50 Freestyle: Gretchen Walsh (Virginia) – 20.37
100 Freestyle: Gretchen Walsh (Virginia) – 44.71
200 Freestyle: Missy Franklin (Cal) – 1:39.10
500 Freestyle: Katie Ledecky (Stanford) – 4:24.06
1000 Freestyle: Katie Ledecky (Stanford) – 9:05.89
1650 Freestyle: Katie Ledecky (Stanford) – 15:03.31
100 Backstroke: Gretchen Walsh (Virginia) – 48.10
200 Backstroke: Claire Curzan (Virginia) – 1:46.09
100 Breaststroke: Lilly King (Indiana) – 55.73
200 Breaststroke: Kate Douglass (Virginia) – 2:01.29
100 Butterfly: Gretchen Walsh (Virginia) – 46.97
200 Butterfly: Emma Sticklen (Texas) – 1:49.11
200 Individual Medley: Kate Douglass (Virginia) – 1:48.37
400 Individual Medley: Ella Eastin (Stanford) – 3:54.60
200 Freestyle Relay: Virginia – 1:23.63
400 Freestyle Relay: Virginia – 3:05.26
800 Freestyle Relay: Virginia – 6:44.13
200 Medley Relay: Virginia – 1:31.10
400 Medley Relay: Virginia – 3:19.58