2025 U.S. National Championships: Key Swimmers Scratch on Day 3
CAPITAL – June 6,2025 –
The 2025 U.S. National Championships saw several top swimmers withdraw from events on day three,altering the competition’s landscape. Kieran Smith, Lucy Bell, and Kate douglass were among those who scratched, creating opportunities and shifts in focus for othre athletes. The event serves as a crucial selection meet for international competitions, making every decision and the performance of athletes at these Championships, of great importance.
2025 U.S. National Championships: Key Swimmers Scratch on Day 3
Day three of the 2025 U.S. National Championships saw several notable scratches, impacting the lineup for both individual events and potential relay selections for international competitions.
Men’s 400 IM: Smith Withdraws
Kieran Smith, seeded fifth in the men’s 400 individual medley, has withdrawn from the event. Smith, who trains with the Florida Gators, is focusing on othre events after finishing sixth in the 200 freestyle the previous night.
Did you know? The U.S. National Championships serve as a crucial selection meet for major international competitions, including the World Championships and the Olympic Games.
While Smith could have secured a spot as a relay reserve for the 4×200 freestyle in Singapore, the increased emphasis on 50-meter stroke events and shifting priorities have made qualification more challenging.Smith, who anchored the silver medal-winning 4×200 freestyle relay in Paris last summer, still has the 400 freestyle, where he is seeded second, and the 200 individual medley, where he is the third seed, on his schedule.
Women’s Events: Bell and Douglass Also Scratch
Smith wasn’t the only fifth seed to withdraw. Lucy Bell (fifth in the 400 individual medley) and Kate Douglass (fifth in the 50 breaststroke) also scratched from their respective events.
Bell, the NCAA champion in the 200 breaststroke, finished seventh in that final the previous night, an event won by douglass. Douglass, simultaneously occurring, opted out of the 50 breaststroke after adding another individual event to her program with a second-place finish in the 50 butterfly.
Bricker Shifts Focus After 200 Fly Victory
Caroline Bricker, Bell’s Stanford teammate, has decided not to swim the 100 butterfly after her come-from-behind victory in the 200 butterfly. Rather, Bricker will aim for a second event on her Singapore schedule, now seeded seventh in the 400 individual medley. Notably, she won the 400 individual medley at the NCAA championships, defeating the top three seeds for this morning’s race.
Pro tip: Swimmers frequently enough strategically choose their events at major meets to maximize their chances of qualifying for international teams and to manage their energy levels effectively.
Full List of Scratches
Here is a comprehensive list of the scratches for day 3:
Men’s 400 IM
- #5 Kieran Smith (Ridgefield Aquatic) – 4:15.10
- #22 Gabe Manteufel (Sandpipers of Nevada) – 4:21.93
- #43 William Savarese (Univ. Of Michigan) – 3:44.01 Y
women’s 400 IM
- #5 lucy Bell
Women’s 100 Butterfly
- Caroline Bricker
Women’s 50 Breaststroke
- #5 Kate Douglass
FAQ: 2025 U.S. National Championships
Reader Question: What is the meaning of the U.S. National Championships?
- What is it? A major swimming competition in the United States.
- Why is it vital? It serves as a selection meet for international teams.
- Who participates? Top swimmers from across the U.S.
- What events are included? A wide range of Olympic and non-olympic swimming events.
