L-R: Katie Ledecky, Leah Smith, Bella Sims, Claire Weinstein

The U.S. got business done today in heavy-medal fashion at the 2022 FINA World Championships.

In the women’s 200-meter butterfly, Hali Flickinger, just shy of her 28th birthday, and Regan Smith finished behind world junior record breaker Summer McIntosh. Flickinger who was fourth at the 100, brought it home fast to touch second with a 2:06.08. Smith finished fourth with a 2:06.79.

“It was a lot of fun, I came to race hand have fun and I’m happy to get a medal for US,” said Flickinger. “It’s not exactly what I wanted but I’m gonna keep working as hard as I can till I can’t stand anymore.”

The men’s 100 freestyle was next, and featured Brooks Curry managing a fifth place finish with a personal best of 48.00.

In the women’s 50m backstroke, Katharine Berkoff nabbed silver with a 27.39, just two tenths off her personal best and American record to record her first individual medal. Smith, fresh off her 200m butterfly final, finished fifth in 27.47, also just two tenths off her best.

“I was really nervous, so I just trying to have fun and enjoy the moment,” said Berkoff. “Its my only individual race here so I’m glad (I medaled).”

The men’s 200m individual medley proved to be an exciting race with Carson Foster and Chase Kalisz, swimming side by side. Foster led the pack until the freestyle, then battled hard to touch second with a 1:55.71, a personal best. Kalisz touched fourth, just two tenths out of medal contention with a 1:56.43.

“It’s exciting, I’m looking forward to many more battles with (Marchand),” said Foster. “I’m super happy with two silver medals, it’s way more than I expected. I’ll celebrate this second place for a little bit, then go back to work to get on top.”

Finally, it was nothing but gold for the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay of Claire Weinstein, Leah Smith, Katie Ledecky and Bella Sims. Rookies Weinstein and Sims were chosen to lead and anchor, respectively, with veterans Smith and Ledecky in the middle was a great strategy. Weinstein’s opening leg was a 1:56.71,  putting the U.S. in second. Smith kept at third, splitting a 1:56.47. Ledecky jumped in, making ground and overcoming the leaders, splitting a 1:53.67, the fastest split ever in the history of this relay. Finally, Sims, 16, with a one second lead, took care of business and brought it home in a 1:54.60, giving the U.S. a gold medal with a winning time of 7:41.45. This is Katie Ledecky’s 21st World Championship Medal, more than any female swimmer in history.

“Its awesome,” said Ledecky. “It’s so easy to get up for these relays. I have so much trust in these three and I’m so glad we delivered.”

Tomorrow’s lineup will feature Torri Huske and Claire Curzan in the women’s 100m freestyle final, Nic Fink in the men’s 200m breaststroke, Lilly King and Kate Douglass in the women’s 200m breaststroke, and Ryan Murphy and Shaine Casas in the men’s 200m backstroke.

Three more days of finals are still to come. Visit www.usaswimming.org/2022Worlds for all information on the U.S. team.