Grimes separates herself for 1500m free title
Katie Grimes built a lead in the women's 1500m freestyle and stayed there, going the distance in 15:55.69 for the national title at the USA Swimming National Championships.
Video Transcript
Take your mark.
Yeah, both 20 years of age.
Grimes certainly has the most experience.
Jason, I mean, it's hard to believe she's only 20 years of age.
I mean, I remember when she was that youngster five years ago in Tokyo when she was just off the podium in the 800 freestyle, fourth there.
But she is, incredibly versatile.
She can swim everything from the 200 free to the 25K.
Old sea of the pool.
Well, you know, this is, this is very interesting from the split side of things because her first 400, Katie Grimes, the leader, was 4:12.
Then she went back to a 4:16 that second 400.
And then Erica, Kate Hurst, very steady 4:17, 4:17.
She just didn't have that early speed to match up with Grimes, and that might be a little bit of her Achilles heel because Grimes jumped on that first 400 and was five seconds ahead.
She really hasn't changed that much.
I mean, she's still, what, about six seconds now.
So it, the dr- the dramatic point was that first 400, right?
Absolutely.
I mean, like I said before, just making sure that the person who goes out is in striking range.
I will say, though, Kate is projected to have a really good race.
Right now she's seven seconds ahead of her previous best time split.
You know- And that would be huge that would be huge.
Right now, if she comes into this 1100 mark at 11:53, that's her previous best time, and she's well under that.
Well, a- and her best time is 6:09.
I, I'm not sure she's gonna be able to even get close to 16 minutes, but going a PB would be very important here.
And then I think for Grimes, getting under would be a huge moment for her.
Let's see.
Here's the 1100, Jason, 11:41.
So she's got to finish this last 400 in 18, 4:18 plus.
Remember, her first 400, second 400, 4:12, 4:16.
So the next 100 will be a big indicator as well.
Let's see what she is on this third 400.
Dare I say, I think, I As of right now, I think Katie's going under 16 minutes, and I think Kate Hurst is going under 16:05.
I mean, I think that'd be a great race to see for both of them.
Well, this is, this is the big 50 right here.
I'll te- I'll give you my prediction at this 50, how about that?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Let's see.
Let's see who, who gets it closer.
You, you just said under 16 and 16:05.
I, I'm gonna hold judgment here until this 1200.
All right, I'll give, I'll give you that 50.
16:03.4 is the 10th best time in the world this year- Right to give you sort of a gauge of where both of these women are kind of at with your projections of where they could finish.
So the opportunity for both may be to jump into the top 10 times in the world.
Of course, Katie Ledecky, 15:23.21 seconds, which she authored in January of this year, is the fastest time in the world so far in 2026.
A fun, a really important thing to consider, too, is we're in an outside venue, and Irvine has been really, really hot the last few days.
I am sure they are feeling the heat right now as they're coming home that last 300.
I, I think you're right, Erica.
I, I think that's pretty good projection, man.
I mean, Erica, I mean, Katie's right at 32 flats now, so if she goes 1:04s on the way back, she's 12 coming back, and that's under 16 minutes.
And Kate is in that 1:05 territory.
And at the 1200, she was 12:52, so that, she comes home at a 15, she's under 16:05.
That's almost like you swam that race once or twice.
Kind of like I know how swims work.
Isn't that crazy?
Oh, what I love to see right now, UVA, that whole squad over there is jumping up and down trying to get her home.
I love to see that.
Great teammates for all these athletes, and the fans here in Irvine enjoying the work of these dynamite distance swimmers headlined by Katie Grimes here at Nationals, already the champ of the 400 IM, looking to double up here in the 1500.
Back to 31 pluses, 150 meters left to go.
Looking really good.
Now, now you start thinking, well, she's going under.
Let's look at the fifth fastest time in the world.
That's 15:58, Jason.
That would be really great.
Now, it's gonna be tough to go 55, but then, then you've got a Palaster of 15:40, Guallarella 15:46.
But boy, this would be a huge moment with this bell lap.
4:50, 14:53.
I, I think she's gonna be under 58.
I think that's a really good prediction.
I think she'll be right there.
I'm hoping to see, you know, that tempo up on that last 50 with everything else she's got.
I, I think it's really possible, Rowdy.
A- and, and Kate Hurst is at that 15:01 mark, so she's gonna blow away her best time.
She's gonna be right at that 16:04, 16:05.
16:03, as you said, Jason, is 10th.
Love to see another couple of Americans in the top 10 in the world.
And Katie Ledecky, as usual, guiding the way.
But how about Katie and Kate here in the national final?
Katie Grimes finishing strong here and looking to add another gold to her tally from Irvine this week.
Champ of the 400 IM, and now powering her way towards the closing wall here.
Gonna get under 16, no doubt about it.
15:55, checking in with a top time in the world this year.
And there is Hurst to the wall as well.
16:04 for Kate Hurst, a new lifetime best by about five seconds.
Two impressive swims to begin.
Third place there for Jorgensen.
She too sets a lifetime best in getting on the podium in bronze medal position five seconds off her lifetime best to pick up the silver.
Just solid.
I mean- Kirsten Jorgensen both of them.
15:12.73.
I, I, I think Grimes just swam one of those races that you just have to do in order to get over that hump, to get under 16 minutes.
She knew she was gonna have to put the pedal down with that UVA swim.
I'm not circling, Katie.
You don't have to, but they were getting after it.
Altogether a top five overall finish Yeah, that was, that was really exciting.
That was awesome.
Thanks for having me, guys.
Erica Sullivan, thanks for stopping by.
Looking at Katie Grimes again, continuing to churn away and finish strong here in the 1500 for her second national title of the meet.
Kate Hurst, personal best as well to earn the silver here in the 1500.
Jorgensen
