{"id":621304,"date":"2025-08-21T13:43:40","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T20:43:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=621304"},"modified":"2025-08-22T05:22:49","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T12:22:49","slug":"united-states-excellence-in-womens-200-backstroke-gets-another-boost-at-world-junior-championships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/united-states-excellence-in-womens-200-backstroke-gets-another-boost-at-world-junior-championships\/","title":{"rendered":"United States Excellence in Women’s 200 Backstroke Gets Another Boost at World Junior Championships"},"content":{"rendered":"

United States Excellence in Women’s 200 Backstroke Gets Another Boost at World Junior Championships<\/strong><\/p>\n

The gold-silver finish by teenagers Audrey Derivaux<\/strong> and Charlotte Crush<\/strong> in the 200-meter backstroke at the World Junior Championships on Thursday was the latest display of American excellence in the event.<\/p>\n

Using a strong back half, Derivaux claimed victory in the 200 backstroke in Otopeni, Romania, with her winning time of 2:06.99 making the 16-year-old the eighth-fastest performer of the year. Meanwhile, the 17-year-old Crush grabbed the silver medal in 2:07.83, her effort more than two seconds clear of bronze medalist Milana Stepanova<\/strong> of Russia, who was timed in 2:09.99.<\/p>\n

The United States boasts an incredible amount of depth in the backstroke events, but the 200 distance might be where Team USA is the strongest. Of the top-11 times in the world for 2025, eight belong to American athletes. While Aussie Kaylee<\/strong> McKeown<\/strong> ranks No. 1, the U.S. holds positions two through five, seven through nine, and No. 11.<\/p>\n

2025 World Rankings – Women’s 200 Backstroke<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Kaylee McKeown (AUS) – 2:03.33<\/li>\n
  2. Regan Smith (USA) – 2:04.29<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. Claire Curzan (USA) – 2:05.09<\/strong><\/li>\n
  4. Leah Shackley (USA) – 2:05.99<\/strong><\/li>\n
  5. Phoebe Bacon (USA) – 2:06.79<\/strong><\/li>\n
  6. Summer McIntosh (CAN) – 2:06.82<\/li>\n
  7. Kennedy Noble (USA) – 2:06.97<\/strong><\/li>\n
  8. Audrey Derivaux (USA) – 2:06.99<\/strong><\/li>\n
  9. Charlotte Crush (USA) – 2:07.05<\/strong><\/li>\n
  10. Peng Xuwei (CHN) – 2:07.22<\/li>\n
  11. Tess Howley (USA) – 2:07.79<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Before Derivaux and Crush went first and second at World Juniors, Regan Smith<\/strong> and Claire Curzan<\/strong> were the silver and bronze medalists, respectively, at the World Championships in Singapore. More, Leah Shackley<\/strong> and Kennedy Noble<\/strong> won gold and silver, respectively, at the World University Games.<\/p>\n