Coming off an American record in the 100-meter freestyle on the opening night of the United States National Championships, Anna Moesch was once again set to be a leading storyline during Night Two action at the William Woollett Aquatics Center. Moesch headed into the final of the 200 freestyle as the No. 3 seed, behind University of Virginia teammate Madi Mintenko and University of Tennessee standout Camille Spink.
The 200 freestyle also included rising stars Rylee Erisman and Liberty Clark, who placed second and third behind Moesch in the 100 free. In addition to the 200 freestyle, women’s finals were scheduled in the 200 breaststroke, 200 backstroke and 50 butterfly.
Here is an event-by-event recap of the Day Two women’s finals:
Women’s 200 Freestyle
It has been quite a year for Anna Moesch. The University of Virginia swimmer became the latest superstar produced in Charlottesville, and that has translated to the long-course pool. One night after breaking her own American record in the 100 freestyle, Moesch earned her second national championship of the week. She won gold in the 200 freestyle, with a time of 1:55.05.
The NCAA champion in the 200-yard freestyle, Moesch led from the start and furthered her reputation over two laps. While her 200 freestyle has not yet caught up to her 100 freestyle, Moesch’s time from Wednesday night makes her the sixth-fastest performer in the world for 2026 and confirms her status as a future contributor to the American 800 freestyle relay.
With the likes of Katie Ledecky and Claire Weinstein as stalwarts in the 200 freestyle, the United States depth in the event is growing significantly, a positive sign as Team USA looks to reel in Australia, which has owned the 800 freestyle relay in recent years.
Rylee Erisman finished second in 1:55.86, followed by Moesch’s Virginia teammate Madi Mintenko, who took the bronze in 1:55.87. Erisman will attend the Pan Pacific Championships next month and was also the runnerup in the 100 freestyle.
Indiana’s Liberty Clark finished fourth in 1:56.55, followed by Tennessee’s Camille Spink (1:57.11), Cavan Gormsen (1:57.31), Wolfpack Elite’s Erika Pelaez (1:58.05) and Marie Landreneau (1:58.59).
Women’s 200 Breaststroke
Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics swimmer Sophia Umstead was two seconds faster than everyone during prelims. If there was any thought that someone was holding back for finals, Umstead put those ideas away quickly, surging to her first national championship in a time of 2:25.57.
Umstead didn’t get a chance to swim on the big stage at the NCAA championships with a night swim. The NCAA did away with B finals and Umstead was ninth in prelims in the 200 breaststroke.
The University of Virginia swimmer continues to make the most of the opportunities she has, this time with a national championship.
Umstead was second behind Maddy Huggins for most of the race, then threw down a 37.97 final split, nearly two seconds ahead of Huggins and plenty fast to hold off the rest of the field.
Adalene Robillard took second in 2:26.07, followed by Huggins (2:26.42), who took the bronze.
Fourth went to Katie Christopherson in 2:27.62, followed by Grace Raab (2:29.14), Brooke Corrigan (2:29.32), Elizabeth Nowrocki (2:29.66) and Piper Enge (2:31.73).
Women’s 200 Backstroke
Isabelle Stadden, like Moesch, has enjoyed a breakout year in long course.
The former Cal star dominated the 200 backstroke final with a near-3-second win.
Stadden got to the wall in 2:04.76, well ahead of Wisconsin’s Maggie Wanezek, who was second in 2:07.98.
Meanwhile, Rylee Erisman finished in the top three for the second time this session with a swim of 2:07.55, earning the bronze. She was second in the 200 free to start the evening.
Charlotte Crush took fourth in 2:07.69, followed by Teagan O’Dell (2:08.16), Olympian Rhyan White (2:08.36), Kennedy Noble (2:10.54) and Catie Choate (2:11.31).
Women’s 50 Butterfly
Michigan’s Brady Kendall held on to her top seed from the morning to claim the national title in the 50 fly with a swim of 25.87.
Tennessee’s Mizuki Hirai took second in 26.06, followed by Gabi Brito (26.08) and Louisville’s Caroline Larsen (26.19).
Alabama’s Emily Jones took fifth in 26.30, followed by Charlotte Crush (26.53), Mena Boardman (26.60) and Natalie Kan (26.68).
