The 2026 USA Toyota National Championships in Irvine, California, is set to be a thrilling showcase of swimming talent, with a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars. As the meet kicks off, several storylines emerge that promise to deliver big performances and unexpected twists. Here's a closer look at some of the key narratives to follow.
No Pan Pacs, No Problem
While the Pan Pacific Championships will be the highlight for many top American stars, several of the nation's best will still use these championships as their big summer meet. Among them are Ilya Kharun, Anna Moesch, and Isabelle Stadden, who will be looking to make another strong statement. Kharun, a soon-to-be US-representing fly/sprint specialist, is set to compete in all three butterfly races in Irvine. Moesch, on the other hand, may be the key example of a "what could have been" when it comes to the US announcing its Pan Pacs roster. Stadden, meanwhile, has been one of the big career resurgence stories of the season, climbing to the near top of the world rankings in each of the backstroke races.
Junior Pan Pacs Selection
This competition does not serve as a selection meet for any of the senior teams, but it will be the championships that decide the junior Pan Pacific Championships squad. And this meet is absolutely loaded with junior talent. Arguably the biggest junior name in the sport is Luka Mijatovic, who is seeded at the top of the psych sheet in the 1500 free. Another major junior swimmer in attendance is Audrey Derivaux, who recently announced that she will be attending Texas in the fall. Outside of those two headliners, the meet will also feature standouts such as 16-year-old Gabi Brito, Sadie Buckley, Charlotte Crush, David Sammons, and Yi Zheng, all looking to break out and earn their spot on the junior Pan Pacs roster.
Pan Pac Swimmers Testing the Irvine Water?
Although the biggest storylines are the people who will not be racing in this pool in a few weeks for the Pan Pacific Championships, that’s not to say that some of those talents who will be back here in a few weeks are not still getting a couple of quality race reps in. Kate Douglass and Gretchen Walsh are just a few of the big names for Team USA that will look to test the water a little bit before the pool is filled with deep international talent. Douglass and Walsh are both involved in what could be the most highly anticipated race of the week, the women’s 50 freestyle. Alexy comes into these US Nationals with only two entered events, the 100 free and 200 free. Luca Urlando, who has been plagued with injury over the course of the season and is on the Pan Pacs roster, may also make some appearances at this meet.
Don’t Count Out the Veterans
While many eyes will be on the young talents in Irvine, this meet also has its fair share of stars who have spent many years at the top of their game. Among them are the now 30-year-old Caeleb Dressel, Hunter Armstrong, who is making his way at these nationals after competing as a clean and athlete with the Enhanced Games, and Kieran Smith, who was not named to the Pan Pacs roster in September. Dressel, one of the most widely recognizable figures in the sport, enters these championships with four events: the 50 and 100 free, and the 50 and 100 fly. Armstrong, an Enhanced Games athlete who competes without the use of enhancements, will be racing in Irvine, though it will only be in three splash and dash events. Smith, the 26-year-old, has seemingly done it all in the sport, and though he is not swimming at Pan Pacs, the opportunity is still there for the veteran to make some noise on the domestic stage.
In summary, the 2026 USA Toyota National Championships in Irvine promises to be a thrilling showcase of swimming talent, with a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars. As the meet unfolds, several storylines emerge that promise to deliver big performances and unexpected twists. From the junior Pan Pacs selection to the veterans testing the water, this meet is sure to be a highlight for swimming fans around the world.
