Virginia’s Anna Moesch Leading Chase to Become Next Sub-1:40 in 200-Yard Freestyle
The all-time rankings of the women’s 200-yard freestyle feature just three athletes with sub-1:40 performances to their credit. Missy Franklin headlines the list, behind her 1:39.10 clocking at the 2015 NCAA Championships. In the No. 2 position is Gretchen Walsh, perhaps the finest short-course swimmer in history. Walsh registered a time of 1:39.34 at the 2025 ACC Championships, an impressive feat considering the 200 freestyle doesn’t even rate as one of her premier events. Sitting third in the rankings is Mallory Comerford, who went 1:39.80 at the 2018 NCAA Champs.
And that’s it.
Cracking the 1:40 barrier is obviously an elite accomplishment. While only three women have gone 1:39-point in the 200 freestyle, there is a strong chance that club membership will grow in the coming months. Already this season, two women – Anna Moesch and Minna Abraham – have threatened the threshold and a willingness to attack the event has opened the door for greater inclusion.
While Blake Pieroni and Townley Haas initially crashed through the 1:30 barrier in the 200 freestyle in 2018 on the men’s side, it took time for 1:29-something to become a familiar feat. Yes, Dean Farris broke through in 2019, but it took five years for the next man to join the club. However, between 2024 and 2025, five more men have produced a 1:29 outing, with that figure expected to rise before the end of this collegiate season.
In the next few months, it won’t be a surprise if a similar breakthrough is witnessed in women’s competition, with a handful of women churning out 1:39 markers.
Here’s a look at the contenders:
Anna Moesch, Virginia: The sophomore took a huge step forward while representing UVA at the CSCAA Dual Meet Challenge. The weekend saw Moesch enter the top-five historically in the 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle, the longer event covered in 1:40.25. As the Cavaliers chase a sixth consecutive NCAA title, Moesch is expected to play a major role and cutting a few tenths from her personal best is quite doable.
Minna Abraham, USC: The Hungarian has been busy during the first semester of the 2025-26 campaign. In addition to going 1:40.47 at the Texas Invitational, Abraham represented Hungary at the European Short Course Championships, where she earned the silver medal in the 200 freestyle.
Claire Weinstein, Cal: A freshman, Weinstein brought a stellar resume with her to Berkeley. Weinstein is a national champion in the event and was the bronze medalist in the 200 freestyle at last summer’s World Championships in Singapore. Weinstein owns a 200-yard best of 1:41.10, recorded at the end of 2024.
Bella Sims, Michigan: A transfer from Florida, Sims has started her days as a Wolverine in impressive fashion. The Team USA veteran went 1:41.17 at the CSCAA Dual Meet Challenge, finishing behind Moesch in a terrific race. Sims owns a career best of 1:40.78 for the 200 freestyle, recorded as a Sandpipers of Nevada athlete in 2022.
Stephanie Balduccini, Michigan: The second University of Michigan swimmer on this list, Balduccini is a standout from Brazil. At last year’s NCAA Championships, she was the third-place finisher, as she finished in 1:40.89. With another year of training, and Sims to push her in practice, Balduccini could certainly scare the 1:40 barrier.
Liberty Clark, Indiana: A freshman for the Hoosiers, Clark has had an instant impact at the college level. At the Ohio State Fall Invitational, Clark checked in with a swim of 1:41.27, an effort that instantly put her in elite territory.