Kate Douglass Continued to Demonstrate Range in 2025; Emerged as Major Player in 100 Breaststroke
Coming off a spectacular 2024 season, which was highlighted by a gold medal in the 200-meter breaststroke at the Olympic Games in Paris, Kate Douglass entered 2025 riding a wave of momentum. And over the last 12 months, the former University of Virginia star maintained her roll, evident in the five medals she corralled at the World Championships in Singapore. The year also featured a world record in the short-course version of the 100 freestyle, where Douglass (49.93) became the first woman in history to crack the 50-second barrier in the event.
While versatility is nothing new in the sport, Douglass has unique range. This year, she ranked in the top-five in the world in three different strokes (freestyle/breaststroke/butterfly), along with the 200 individual medley. More, she owned a top-five world ranking in three distances – 50, 100 and 200 meters.
As Douglass maintained her status as the premier 200 breaststroker in the world, she emerged as the No. 2 ranked performer in the 100 breaststroke. Douglass was the silver medalist in the event at the World Champs and logged a top time of 1:05.27. Her presence in the event is a huge positive going forward for the American medley relay.
Here is a look at where Kate Douglass ranked globally and within the United States during the 2025 season:
50 Freestyle – 24.04
World Rank: Fourth
U.S. Rank: Third
100 Freestyle – 53.16
World Rank: 12th
U.S. Rank: Fifth
50 Breaststroke – 30.64
World Rank: 25th
U.S. Rank: Sixth
100 Breaststroke – 1:05.27
World Rank: Second
U.S. Rank: First
200 Breaststroke – 2:18.50
World Rank: First
U.S. Rank: First
50 Butterfly – 25.39
World Rank: Fourth
U.S. Rank: Second
200 Individual Medley – 2:07.85
World Rank: Third
U.S. Rank: First