U.S. Olympians Katie Ledecky, Regan Smith and Chase Kalisz each picked up individual wins on the first full night of finals and second day overall at the Toyota U.S. Open Championships at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, N.C. 

In a rematch of last summer’s world championships, Ledecky from Gator Swim Club went head-to-head with Canadian Summer McIntosh in the women’s 400-meter free. After flipping dead even at the 300-meter mark, Ledecky had just enough left to overtake McIntosh, 3:59.71 to 3:59.79. Ledecky’s time was a new U.S. Open meet record. Sarasota’s Michaela Mattes finished well behind in third at 4:09.53. 

"I knew it would be fast tonight with Summer right there," Ledecky said. "We brought the best out of each other tonight. I think that’s the first time I’ve been under four minutes in December, or in the fall, so I’m pleased with that at this point.”  

Brazil's Guilherme Costa of Brazil picked up his second win of the meet in the men’s 400m free, adding to his victory in the 800m free last night. He finished in 3:48.13, ahead of Florida teammates Alfonso Mestre (3:49.63) and 2020 Olympian Jake Mitchell (3:49.65). 

After qualifying 1-2 in prelims, Sun Devil’s Regan Smith and Fox Valley’s Leah Hayes held their positions in the women’s 200m IM final, with Smith coming out on top in 2:10.40, followed by Hayes in 2:10.67. Florida’s Zoe Dixon rounded out the top three in 2:14.37. 

“Everything has been going really well," Smith said of her meet. "I’m having a lot of fun racing. I had a great race with Leah (Hayes). I love her so much – she's such a good friend. We had a great conversation before our race – it's really good vibes tonight.” 

Chase Kalisz of Sun Devil showed his experience in the men’s 200m IM, dropping more than four seconds from his prelim time to win handily in 1:56.52, a new Toyota U.S. Open meet record. Texas A&M’s Baylor Nelson (1:59.14) and Cumberland YMCA’s Daniel Diehl (1:59.89) also broke 2:00 in finishing second and third. 

Louisville’s Gabi Albiero captured the women’s 50m free title in 25.06, not far off her personal best of 24.89. Eagle Aquatics’ Erika Pelaez just out-touched Nation’s Capital’s Camille Spink for second, 25.29 to 25.36. 

"I love to do long course and especially in the middle of a bunch of short course meets, it’s fun to mix it up," Albiero said. "I’m happy with the time, I wasn’t really going for anything specific, so it was a lot of fun.” 

Two swimmers cracked :22 in the men’s 50m free final, with NC State’s David Curtiss leading the way in 21.92. Florida’s Josh Liendo got to the wall second in 21.99, followed by Brazilian Victor Alcara in 22.11.

“I’ve been focusing on the first 15 (meters) – getting out fast and staying fast because that’s my weakest point in the race," Curtiss said.

In relay action, Swim Ireland topped the women’s 4x100m medley relay final in 4:07.69, while Auburn University took home the men’s 4x100m medley relay win in 3:40.72. 

Action continues tomorrow with prelims (usaswimming.org/watch) at 9 a.m. ET and finals at 6 p.m. ET (Peacock). For more on the 2022 Toyota U.S. Open, visit https://www.usaswimming.org/event/2022/11/30/default-calendar/toyota-u.s.-open