Anna Moesch Takes Down American Record in 100 Freestyle, Wins Nationals in 51.88
Over the past few months, Anna Moesch has become one of the top freestylers in the United States. During a breakout sophomore season at the University of Virginia, Moesch swam the second-fastest time ever in the 200-yard free on the way to an NCAA title, and she has extended that run to long course. In late May, she topped the American record in the 100-meter free at the AP London International, and now she has brought the mark even lower.
Racing in the event’s final at U.S. Nationals, Moesch dominated a strong field from the very beginning. She jumped out to an early advantage with a 50-meter split of 25.07, just nine hundredths off world-record pace, and she returned in an equally-impressive 26.81. That put Moesch to the wall in 51.88, six hundredths under her previous domestic mark of 51.94.
Back in May, Moesch took down a seven-year-old American record belonging to Simone Manuel. At the time, that mark was the second-fastest in history behind Sarah Sjostrom. Since then, the Netherlands’ Marrit Steenbergen has lowered that mark, but Moesch reinforced her status as the third-fastest performer in history and second-quickest swimmer in the world for 2026. Among all performances, this swim ranks fifth all-time behind three of Steenbergen’s races from this year plus Sjostrom’s former world record from 2017.
Moesch made her senior-level debut for the U.S. team at last year’s World Championships, winning two silver medals as a prelims relay swimmer. However, she will not be part of the team for the Pan Pacific Championships next month, with only the top-five 100 freestylers from 2025 selected for the U.S. roster. Thus, Moesch will have to wait through the Pan Pacs and European Championships to see how this mark stacks up in the final world rankings.
Moesch defeated a strong field by more than a second. Most of the top American veterans in the event were absent, but Rylee Erisman and Liberty Clark both went sub-53. Erisman clocked 52.92 for second place, just off her 2025 best time of 52.79, while Clark came in third at 52.97. Camille Spink finished just off the pace in 53.19. Even with the top-four finishers from last year’s Nationals.
Erisman and Clark now rank eighth and 10th in the world for 2026, respectively. Erisman will be part of the Pan Pacs team along with fellow sub-53 swimmers Manuel, Torri Huske, Gretchen Walsh and Kate Douglass.
