INDIANAPOLIS – Stanford sophomore Henry McFadden qualified for the World Aquatics Championships by placing fourth in the 200-meter freestyle at the U.S. Championships on Wednesday at the Indiana University Natatorium.
McFadden clinched a spot on the U.S. team in the 800 free relay that will compete in Singapore on July 27-August 3. Racing out of Lane 7, McFadden was timed in 1:45.22 for his second personal best of the day, following his 1:46.13 in the prelims.
Needing to reach the top four for relay consideration for the U.S. team, McFadden was sixth at 100 meters, but passed Kieran Smith by 150 and Chris Guiliano on the final 50. McFadden’s splits were 24.64, 26.75, and 27.09 through 150. His closing time of 26.74 was the fastest final 50 of the race.
On Tuesday, the first day of competition, McFadden set two personal bests in the 100 free, placing seventh in the A final in 47.97, after going 48.15 in the prelims. In both the 100 free and 200 free, McFadden achieved the World Championships ‘A’ standards of 48.34 and 1:46.70.
McFadden is a six-time All-American and the 2025 Atlantic Coast Conference champion in the 200-yard freestyle. He holds school records in the 200y free, 400 free relay, and 800 free relay.
Through the first two days, seven members of either the 2025 Stanford team or incoming freshmen have competed among five events.
Among Stanford’s highlights: Josh Zuchowski’s fifth place in the B final of the 200 backstroke (1:59.99) on Wednesday; Daniel Li’s second in the C final of the 200 breaststroke (a PB of 2:13.59); and incoming freshman Jason Zhao’s seventh in the 100 free C final (50.12) on Tuesday.
U.S. Championships
Men’s Swimming
At Indiana University Natatorium
Long-course meters
Tuesday
200-meter butterfly – Prelims: 28, Josh Zuchowski 2:00.87; 42, Gibson Holmes 2:03.17.
100 freestyle – A Final: 7, Henry McFadden 47.97 (PB). C Final: 7, Jason Zhao 50.12. Prelims: 6, McFadden 48.15 (PB); 26, Zhao 49.83; 36, Andy Kravchenko 50.20 (PB).
Wednesday
200 free – A Final: 4, Henry McFadden 1:45.22 (PB). Prelims: 6, McFadden 1:46.13 (PB); 46, Jason Zhao 1:51.49.
200 breaststroke – C Final: 2, Daniel Li 2:13.59 (PB). Prelims: 21, Daniel Li 2:14.56.
200 backstroke – B Final: 5, Josh Zuchowski 1:59.99. Prelims: 16, Josh Zuchowski 2:00.12; 26, Aaron Sequeira 2:01.59 (PB).
PB = personal best