Ledecky Fires Near-WR Pace as Austin Pro Swim Opener Kicks Off

Day 1 of the 2026 Pro Swim Series – Austin opened with a brisk prelims session at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center. Katie Ledecky clocked 15:23.21 in the women’s 1500 free, near a world-record pace and the top seed for the night’s finals, while Bobby Finke led the men’s 1500 free prelims and earned a night-one prize. Several big names withdrew or scratched events (Shaine Casas did not swim the 200 IM; Hunter Armstrong and Grant House withdrew), and Claire Weinstein scratched the 1500. The meet’s early field also featured strong seeds in sprints and the 200 IM, with finals later tonight expected to be faster and streamed on the USA Swimming Network and Peacock.