Bold opening: A breakthrough distance technique is reshaping how the fastest swimmers approach the long races, and Ilia Sibirtsev has just nudged the science forward after shattering Texas’ pool record. But here’s where it gets controversial: does cutting first-half leg work really help sustain speed for the final stretch, or does it risk tempo and efficiency later in the race?
The 2025 U.S. Open unfolded December 3–6 in Austin, Texas, at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center. The schedule lists preliminaries at 10:00 a.m. EST, with finals that evening at 7:00 p.m. EST (Day 1 prelims start earlier at 5:00 p.m.). The meet is held in long course meters (LCM), and fans can follow along via Meet Central, the official psych sheets, and live results portals.
Ilia Sibirtsev emerged as a standout at the meet, capturing the 1500-meter title and earning a second place in the 800-meter event. Notably, he outpaced Olympic gold medalist Bobby Finke in both distance races. A former Louisville Cardinal, Sibirtsev has been experimenting with his approach in mid- and distance freestyle events. He describes himself as a leg-driven swimmer and has been working to optimize his catch—striving for greater efficiency while preserving tempo. A key element of his recent adjustments involves using his kick to drive the early segments without over-relying on leg motion in the first half of the race.
About Coleman Hodges
Coleman Hodges began swimming at the age of one, a fact he remembers only vaguely, yet the early entry into water clearly influenced his path. A native of Missouri, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at nine years old, where he remains memorable for his distinctive dragon-pattern swim trunks. His journey in the sport continues as he develops his competitive profile and technique.
Read more about Coleman Hodges and the broader context of Sibirtsev’s approach and results at SwimSwam, including links to Hodges’ bio and additional coverage.
