Former University of Virginia swimmer Katie Douglass broke the world record in the women’s 50-meter freestyle Friday night at the TYR Pro Swim Series meet in Indianapolis..
Douglass was timed in 23.59 seconds, eclipsing the former record of 23.61 set by Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom in 2023. Douglass had shared the American record (23.91) with former Cavalier teammate Gretchen Walsh, who finished second (23.78) in Friday’s race at the Indiana University Natatorium.
“Just complete shock,” Douglass told reporters after the race. “I obviously did not expect that. I did not expect a world record and 53 like ever in my life. I think just doing that here was just crazy. And obviously, having my teammates next to me was so much fun too. And Gretchen was just as surprised as I was. It was fun to celebrate together.”…