IRVINE, Calif. — Katie Ledecky opened the U.S. Championships in typical fashion, winning the 800m freestyle by 10 seconds on Wednesday night.
Ledecky clocked 8:11.98, well off her world record of 8:04.79 but still five seconds faster than any other woman in history. Leah Smith was second in 8:22.79.
With the victory, Ledecky qualified for the year’s major international meet, August’s Pan Pacific Championships in Tokyo.
Other winners Wednesday included Olympic champion Simone Manuel (fastest 100m freestyle ever on American soil) and Blake Pieroni, who upset world champion Caeleb Dressel in the men’s 100m free.