The Climb of Anna Peplowski: American Poised for Big Showing at Pan Pacific Champs
At the past three major international competitions, Anna Peplowski has been a valuable member of Team USA. At the 2023 World Championships and 2024 Olympic Games, Peplowski handled a prelims leg for the United States in the 800-meter freestyle relay. The rewards for her contributions were silver medals, along with critical experience from her days in Fukuoka and Paris.
Last year, Peplowski took another step forward. During her senior year at Indiana University, she won the NCAA title in the 200-yard freestyle and qualified to represent the United States at the World Championships in Singapore. At Worlds, Peplowski split 1:55.16 in the prelims of the 800 freestyle relay. That effort earned her a spot on the relay for finals, where Peplowski was even better, going 1:54.75 to help the U.S. finish second to Australia.
In a few weeks, Peplowski will compete at the Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine. While she is expected to once again handle a leg on the American 800 freestyle relay, the 23-year-old will also race the 200 freestyle. The opportunity to contest an individual event at a global competition will allow Peplowski to further her growing reputation, and put down a marker halfway down the road to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The all-time rankings of the 200 freestyle reveal that only four Americans have ever cracked the 1:55 barrier in the individual 200 freestyle – Allison Schmitt (1:53.61), Katie Ledecky (1:53.73), Claire Weinstein (1:54.67) and Missy Franklin (1:54.81). Peplowski is knocking on the door of that club, having already been sub-1:55 in relay action. Comparing her outings in 2023 and 2024 with what she managed at the 2025 World Champs, it’s clear the Illinois native has risen to another level.
Through the first half of the 2026 campaign, Peplowski has looked sharp. She produced a 200 freestyle time of 1:55.67 at last month’s TYR Pro Series stop in Indianapolis, a swim that moved her to No. 8 all-time among American performers. She has also been strong in the backstroke events, going 59.90 for the 100 distance and 2:07.50 for the 200 distance.
With experience gained at the top level of the sport, and Peplowski delivering the best times of her career, the biggest moments of her career appear to be on the horizon.