Overview
- Katie Ledecky clocked 14:59.62 on Dec. 14 at the inaugural Katie Ledecky Invitational at the University of Maryland.
- Her swim lowered her own American record of 15:01.41 from March 2023 by 1.79 seconds.
- She became the first woman under 15 minutes in the short-course yards 1650 and now owns the eight fastest times in the event.
- Ledecky said she had pursued the barrier for eight to nine years, felt pre-race nerves, and relied on patient pacing before a late surge.
- Her brother Michael counted laps as hundreds of fans watched a meet that drew about 1,500 athletes, extending a standout year that featured an 800-meter world record and world championship golds.