US sets world record in mixed medley relay at Pan Pacific Championships

The United States concluded the opening night of the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships with a world record in the mixed 4x100 medley relay, posting a time of 3:36.70. The victory caps a session defined by rapid times, with the American team delivering a performance that has drawn immediate attention to their relay strategy ahead of the week’s remaining events.

The winning quartet consisted of Will Modglin, Van Mathias, Gretchen Walsh, and Kate Douglass. Modglin initiated the race with a 53.40 split on the backstroke, followed by Van Mathias, who holds the American record in the 100 breaststroke. Mathias posted a 57.30 split, positioning the US team in contention for the world record before the halfway mark.

Gretchen Walsh swam the butterfly leg in 54.99, extending the American lead. Kate Douglass anchored the team with a 51.01 split in freestyle, securing the gold medal and the new fastest time in history. The performance underscores the depth of the US squad as they navigate the opening stages of the championships.

Australia claimed the silver medal with a time of 3:39.30. The Australian squad comprised Iona Anderson, Josh Williamson, Bradley Temple, and Ashleigh Harris. Their finish placed them just over two seconds behind the record-breaking American team.

Canada took bronze with a time of 3:43.22. The Canadian team included Ingrid Wilm, Josh Dawson, Finlay Knox, and Taylor Ruck. The podium results highlight the competitive nature of the event, which requires two men and two women per team, with countries selecting their own stroke order and gender combinations for each leg.

The mixed medley relay is widely regarded as one of the most tactically interesting events in swimming due to these variable team compositions. The US world record serves as a significant marker for the sport, reflecting the high level of performance expected at the Pan Pacific Championships.