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Bella Sims Swims 4:03.25 400 Freestyle To Become Fifth Fastest American Ever

2023 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Day 4 Finals Heat Sheets

Bella Sims swam a 4:03.25 in the women’s LCM 400 freestyle Friday night in Indianapolis, swimming a huge personal best time to move up to the #5 fastest American ever as well as #3 all-time in the 17-18 age group.

All-Time Top 5 400 Freestyle (All Ages)

  1. Katie Ledecky 3:56.46, 2016
  2. Leah Smith 4:00.65, 2016
  3. Allison Schmitt 4:01.77, 2012
  4. Katie Hoff 4:02.20, 2008
  5. Bella Sims 4:03.25, 2023

All-Time Top 5 17-18 400 Freestyle

  1. Katie Ledecky 3:58.37, 2014
  2. Katie Hoff, 4:02.20, 2008
  3. Bella Sims 4:03.25, 2023
  4. Janet Evans 4:03.85, 1988
  5. Cierra Runge 4:04.55, 2014

Sims previously stood at the 21st fastest American ever as well as the #11 fastest 17-18 age grouper. Her previous best time was a 4:06.41 which she swam just a month ago at Pro Swim-Mission Viejo.

Sims has made a huge drop in the event over the last year. At 2022 International Team Trials, Sims swam a 4:06.61 to finish third, three seconds off of making the Worlds team in the event.

On night two of the meet, Sims qualified for the Worlds team on the women’s 4×200 free relay after finishing third in the 200 freestyle in a 1:56.08. Sims only competed on the US 4×200 free relay at Worlds last summer, notably anchoring in a huge split of 1:54.60 helping the US to gold. Now, Sims adds an individual event to her lineup in Japan.

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Mac
1 year ago

Damn. Great job Coach

Marklewis
1 year ago

I could see 4:00 to 4:01 next year.

She took it out a little fast. Still time to get the pacing down.

SWIM SAM
Reply to  Marklewis
1 year ago

4:00 would be insane, really depends on how well she adjusts her first year of college

Hiswimcoach
1 year ago

#letbellamiddistance

Swimfan
1 year ago

Her short coarse yards 200-500 were right there with Macintosh so glad to see her times covert well to long course

Swimfan27
1 year ago

Knew she had this in her!!

Corey
1 year ago

🐊🐊🐊

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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