Katie Ledecky claimed another world record Saturday night at the U.S. World Championships in Irvine, California.
The 17-year-old swimmer from Bethesda finished the race in a blistering 3:58.46, breaking Italy’s Federica Pellegrini’s 2009 record of 3:59.15 by more than half a second.
Her pace was so quick even Michael Phelps commented, “That is some serious speed,” according to the Associated Press.
Ledecky, a Stone Ridge rising senior, now has world records in the 400, 800, and 1500 meter freestyle. By claiming her latest record Saturday night she became the first woman since Janet Evans to hold the three long-distance swimming world records at the same time. Evans did it in 1987.
Ledecky told an AP reporter the record was on her mind, “but I didn’t let it overtake me today… I was very relaxed.” She also joked with an NBC Sports reporter, saying “I haven’t thrown up after a race yet. Maybe that’s what I’ve got to shoot for.”
Ledecky previously broke her own world records in the 800m and 1500m free in June. Ledecky announced in May that after she finishes her senior year at Stone Ridge she’s going to swim for Stanford University.