The 2026 Pro Swim Series in Westmont has come to a close, leaving behind a trail of impressive performances and records. While the meet's highlights included Chris Guiliano's 50-meter freestyle record and Sam Short's 400-meter freestyle record, there were several other notable swims that deserve attention.
Nikita Sheremet, the world junior record holder in both short course and long course 50-meter freestyle, made waves with a 0.13-second improvement on his previous best time of 21.75. Finishing second behind Guiliano, Sheremet clocked an impressive 21.62, just a quarter-second shy of Vladislav Bukhov's Ukrainian record. This performance builds on his earlier season achievements, including 18.71 and 41.39 in yards.
Luke Barr, a versatile swimmer known for his college career at Indiana, showcased his talent in the 200-meter individual medley. Barr shaved 0.06 seconds off his three-year-old best time, placing third with a time of 2:00.31. His performance was particularly notable due to his faster halfway mark of 56.15, indicating potential for further improvement and a strong showing at the U.S. nationals this summer.
Breeja Larson, a veteran swimmer who won gold in the women's 4x100 medley relay at the 2012 Olympics, made a highly anticipated return to long-course competition. Larson swam the 50-meter breaststroke in prelims with a time of 31.53, finishing fifth. Although she scratched the final, her comeback attempt is worth watching.
Uros Zivanovic, a standout for Auburn after transferring from Georgia Tech, made significant strides in the 50-meter breaststroke. He hacked three-tenths of a second off his personal best, placing fifth with a time of 27.33. Zivanovic's performance builds on his earlier success, including a gold medal at the 2022 European Junior swimming championships.
Anna Peplowski, a rising star in the 100-meter backstroke, dipped under the 1:00 barrier for the first time, clocking an impressive 59.94. This achievement comes just six weeks after setting a personal best, and Peplowski has already dropped 0.63 seconds in the event this season. Her progress is a testament to her dedication and skill.
These swimmers' performances in Westmont showcase the depth of talent in the swimming community and the potential for future achievements. As the season progresses, fans can anticipate further records being broken and new stars rising to the forefront.
