Get ready to dive into a record-breaking moment in swimming history! Chris Guiliano just shattered the U.S. Open meet record in the 200-meter freestyle, clocking an incredible 1:45.91 in the prelims. But here's where it gets even more thrilling: this performance not only secured him the top seed for the final but also edged out his Texas teammate, Luke Hobson, in a nail-biting race. And this is the part most people miss—Guiliano’s time was just 0.01 seconds faster than the previous record set by Townley Haas in 2019 and matched by Rafael Miroslaw in 2023. Talk about precision!
The 2025 U.S. Open, held from December 3-6 in Austin, Texas, at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center, has already delivered some jaw-dropping moments. Prelims kick off at 10 a.m. EST, with finals at 7 p.m. EST (5 p.m. EST on Day 1). If you’re eager to follow along, check out the Meet Central (https://www.usaswimming.org/event/2025/12/03/default-calendar/toyota-us-open), Psych Sheets (https://swimswam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/25tuso-psych-sheet.pdf), or Live Results (https://www.omegatiming.com/2025/2025-toyota-u-s-open-championships-live-results).
Now, let’s break down Guiliano’s swim. His split times reveal a fascinating strategy:
- First 50 meters: 24.29 (compared to Haas’ 24.65 in 2019 and Miroslaw’s 24.51 in 2023)
- 100 meters: 51.53 (27.24 split)
- 150 meters: 1:18.72 (27.19 split)
- Final 50 meters: 27.19, securing the record by 0.01 seconds.
But here’s the controversial part: While Guiliano’s time is impressive, it’s still 0.15 seconds shy of Yannick Agnel’s Texas pool record of 1:45.76 set back in 2014. Does this mean Agnel’s record is untouchable, or is Guiliano just getting started? Let’s not forget, this is only the third-fastest time of Guiliano’s career, trailing his 1:45.38 from the 2024 Olympic Trials and his 1:45.73 from the U.S. National Championships.
Globally, Guiliano’s time places him 5th in the world this season, behind swimmers like Zhang Zhanshuo (CHN) and Edward Sommerville (AUS). Is this enough to make waves on the international stage, or is there more to come?
Meanwhile, Hobson secured the second spot in the final with a time of 1:46.25, and Indiana’s Aaron Shackell grabbed third with 1:46.61. The ‘A’ Final lineup is stacked with talent, including Kieran Smith, Patrick Sammon, Tomas Navikonis, Gabriel Jett, and Kaique Alves.
What’s even more remarkable? Guiliano’s performance comes hot on the heels of his 50-meter freestyle win on Thursday night, where he clocked 21.57, setting another U.S. Open meet record and personal best. Is Chris Guiliano the swimmer to watch in 2025, or is there someone else who could challenge his dominance?
Let’s spark some debate: Do you think Guiliano’s focus on long-course meters (LCM) is paying off, or should he diversify his training? And with the Olympics on the horizon, can he maintain this momentum? Share your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear from you!
