New World Record

World champion Kate Ziegler (Great Falls, Va.) took down Janet Evans’ 19-year-old world record in the 1500m freestyle by almost 10 seconds Sunday at the TYR Meet of Champions in Mission Viejo, Calif. The 18-year-old bested Evans’ mark of 15:52.10 by turning in a time of 15:42.54. Evans’ record, set on March 26, 1988 in Orlando, Fla., was the oldest record in the books.

Ziegler recently defended her world championship in the 1500m freestyle when she posted a time of 15:53.42 at the FINA World Championships in Melbourne, Australia, earlier this year. At the Meet of Champions this weekend, Ziegler set new meet records in both the 200m free (1:58.80) and the 400m free (4:05.44).

“I am so thrilled for Kate’s success this past weekend not just in the 1500, but best times in several events,” Evans said afterward. “The 1500 has always been one of my favorites and to have such a terrific swimmer and person like Kate break my record at the same age that I did, was terrific.”

“In a sport where records are broken in hundredths of a second, you would have to consider Kate’s swim in the 1500 one of the greatest swims ever. I have spoken with Kate to congratulate her myself. USA Swimming should be proud to have an ambassador for the sport, distance swimming and being a role model like Kate.”