Selection Criteria

Multiple reigning short course world record holders will represent the U.S., including Olympians Jack Alexy (Mendham, N.J./California Aquatics), Katharine Berkoff (Missoula, Mont./Wolfpack Elite), Claire Curzan (Cary, N.C./University of Virginia),Kate Douglass (Pelham, N.Y./New York Athletic Club), Luke Hobson (Reno, Nev./Longhorn Aquatics), and Gretchen Walsh (Nashville, Tenn./New York Athletic Club). Short course world individual medalists from 2024 bolster the roster, including Regan Smith (Lakeville, Minn./Longhorn Aquatics), Kieran Smith (Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield Aquatic Club), and Alex Walsh (Nashville, Tenn./New York Athletic Club). 2024’s U.S. short course worlds roster led the medal table with 39 total medals.   

“This roster brings together an exceptional mix of experience and emerging talent,” said USA Swimming National Team Executive Director and Coach, Greg Meehan. "I'm proud of the team we've assembled after hosting the first U.S. Short Course World Championship Trials, and I look forward to the group rising to the occasion on the international stage.” 

Eighteen athletes will make their World Championships debut in Beijing: Luke Barr (Papillion, Neb./Texas Ford Aquatics), Brian Benzing (Ellicott City, Md./Towson University Swimming), Josh Bey (Hinsdale, Ill./Indiana University), Finn Brooks (Fort Wayne, Ind./Indiana Swim Club), Noah Cakir (Deer Park, N.Y./Indiana University), Adam Chaney (Mason, Ohio/Sun Devil Swimming), Liberty Clark (Chico, Calif./Indiana University), Ryan Erisman (Windermere, Fla./California Aquatics), Rylee Erisman (Windermere, Fla./California Aquatics), Grant House (Maineville, Ohio/Sun Devil Swimming), Van Mathias (Portland, Ore./Indiana Swim Club), Katie McCarthy (Edina, Minn./University of Minnesota), Owen McDonald (Alpharetta, Ga./Indiana University), Isabelle Odgers (Aliso Viejo, Calif./Tritons Aquatic Club), Tyler Ray (Pinckney, Mich./Longhorn Aquatics), Skyler Smith (San Jose, Calif./North Carolina Aquatic Club), Camille Spink (Haymarket, Va./University of Tennessee) and Maximus Williamson (Southlake, Texas/University of Virginia). 

Billy Doughty of DART Swimming will be the team's head coach. This is Doughty’s first senior-level international coaching appointment. Doughty also serves as a member of USA Swimming’s Board of Directors. USA Swimming will announce the assistant coaching staff at a later date.

For more information on the 2026 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m), click here. 

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