Anna Moesch's 51.94-second swim in the 100m free at the AP Race London International on May 25 shattered the American record, previously held by Simone Manuel with a time of 52.04 seconds at the 2019 World Championships.
Anna Moesch, 18, had long-term goals to swim personal bests and make the Olympic team when she matriculated at the University of Virginia in 2024. Her new coach, Todd DeSorbo, believed she could break the American record in the long course 100m free within two years.
Moesch, who had just tied for eighth in the 100m free at the 2024 Olympic Trials, proved DeSorbo prophetic by shattering the record. She began the year as the 18th-fastest American in history in the event, according to World Aquatics.
The 100m free is on night one of the Toyota USA Swimming National Championships in Irvine, California, running from Tuesday through Saturday with nightly finals at 9 ET on Peacock and NBCSN. Moesch is well aware of the world record, held by Dutchwoman Marrit Steenbergen with a time of 51.68 seconds set a month ago at the Sette Colli meet in Rome.
Moesch's rise to the top is a remarkable story of perseverance and dedication. At age 7, she started swimming in New Jersey, chasing her older sister Marlise, who later swam for Yale.
As a middle schooler, Moesch goofed off, throwing quarters into the pool and picking them up from the bottom while swimming laps. Her first club coach pulled her aside, telling her she was talented but hardworking.
That lit a fire, and Moesch qualified to swim in the Tokyo Olympic Trials in 2021 at age 15. She advanced from the first wave to the second wave by one hundredth of a second, finishing 25th in the 50m free.
Moesch's most difficult period came in late 2022, when she underwent surgery to repair a torn medial patellofemoral ligament in her left knee. She leaned on her coach Mary Korey for support, who remembers Moesch remarking that a 50-meter freestyle for time was slower than when she was in elementary school.
Moesch's determination paid off when she tied for eighth in the 100m free semifinals at the 2024 Olympic Trials, forcing her into a head-to-head swim-off against Erika Connolly. She recorded the two fastest 100m frees of her life in the semis and the swim-off.
Moesch watched the 100m free final from the seats inside Lucas Oil Stadium, marveling at the decorated women she would soon be sharing lanes with at Virginia – Kate Douglass and Gretchen Walsh.
Over the last two years, Moesch improved her turns and underwaters by watching others in her talented training group. She added motivation this past year, making the 2025 World Championships team as a relay swimmer and vowing not to miss the national team again.
Moesch responded by winning her first individual NCAA title in the 200-yard freestyle in March, and two months later in London, she touched the wall in 51.94 seconds and covered her mouth in astonishment.
The 2026 Toyota U.S. Swimming National Championships continue in Irvine, California, with nightly finals at 9 ET on Peacock and NBCSN.
Source: Yahoo Sports