IRVINE, CALIF. — Van Mathias won two gold medals and two silver medals in four events at the Pan Pacific Championships. The swimmer is making his debut with the U.S. senior national team at the competition.

The 50-meter breaststroke, butterfly, and backstroke events were added to the 2028 Olympic program. Mathias competed in butterfly at the U.S. Olympic trials for the Tokyo Games but did not make the team. He switched to breaststroke during his final collegiate season.

During his college career, Mathias swam for Indiana University for five years. He finished second in the NCAA Championships in breaststroke.

Mathias is the director of operations for Indiana University’s swimming and diving program. He works as the operations director for Indiana University, overseeing team travel and recruiting visits. Ray Looze is the swimming coach at Indiana University.

Mathias resides in Beaverton, Oregon. He will turn 26 later in August 2026. Mathias has a black mustache.

Mathias qualified for the Pan Pacific Championships within a couple of months of deciding to return to competition. "Even just last week I was in the office pushing papers," Mathias said. "Got a busy fall coming up for IU athletics. I haven’t cracked my laptop in a couple days, so probably falling behind."

Why It Matters

Mathias is making his debut with the U.S. senior national team at the Pan Pacific Championships. His performance includes helping Team USA set a world record in the mixed 4x100-meter medley at the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships with a time of 3:36.70 on August 12, 2026. The addition of the 50-meter breaststroke, butterfly, and backstroke events to the 2028 Olympic program increases the relevance of his recent medal achievements in those disciplines.

Timeline

On August 12, 2026, Van Mathias helped Team USA set a world record in the mixed 4x100-meter medley at the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships with a time of 3:36.70 on August 12, 2026. On August 15, 2026, Van Mathias won two gold medals and two silver medals in four events at the Pan Pacific Championships. Also on August 15, 2026, Van Mathias is making his debut with the U.S. senior national team at the Pan Pacific Championships.

On that same date, Van Mathias earned a silver medal in the 50-meter butterfly. Additionally on August 15, 2026, Van Mathias tied for a silver medal in the 50-meter breaststroke. On August 15, 2026, Van Mathias swam the breaststroke leg on the U.S. men's 4 x 100-meter medley relay team that set a world record. Also on August 15, 2026, Van Mathias won the men's 100-meter breaststroke title with a championship-record time of 58.02 seconds. On August 15, 2026, Van Mathias missed his own American Record in the 100-meter breaststroke by 0.01 seconds.

What's New

Later reporting indicates that Van Mathias helped Team USA set a world record in the mixed 4x100-meter medley at the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships with a time of 3:36.70 on August 12, 2026. Additional sources state that Van Mathias missed his own American Record in the 100-meter breaststroke by 0.01 seconds. Further context identifies that Indiana University is university system, Indiana, United States.

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on the specifics of Mathias's breaststroke records. The primary source, and Van Mathias won the men's 100-meter breaststroke title with a championship-record time of 58.02 seconds. Nbcsports.com reports that Van Mathias missed his own American Record in the 100-meter breaststroke by 0.01 seconds.

There are also discrepancies regarding relay details. The primary source and Van Mathias swam the breaststroke leg on the U.S. men's 4 x 100-meter medley relay team that set a world record. The primary source, and Van Mathias won the men's 100-meter breaststroke title with a championship-record time of 58.02 seconds. The primary source and Van Mathias swam the breaststroke leg on the U.S. men's 4 x 100-meter medley relay team that set a world record, while nbcsports.com states that Van Mathias missed his own American Record in the 100-meter breaststroke by 0.01 seconds.