Simone Manuel Breaks NCAA Record, just misses American Record in 50 Free

Photo Courtesy: Peter Bick

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The 50 free final was probably the most decorated A-final of the meet so far with five Olympians from Rio competing. Ultimately, it was the silver medalist in this event that out-touched the whole field. Stanford sophomore Simone Manuel won the race for her second NCAA title in the event with a 21.17 for the win, under the NCAA record set by Olivia Smoliga last year at 21.21.

Smoliga, who won the event last year, was second at 21.27 and Ohio State’s Liz Li was third at 21.29. Li had led at the turn but Manuel did what she always seems to do, coming out of nowhere to get her hand on the wall first. Manuel is now the second fastest performer all time in the event and it is Stanford’s 10th title in the event. Manuel last won it in 2015. The last Stanford winners were Catherine Fox (1997, 1998, 1999), Jenny Thompson (1992, 1993), Jenna Johnson (1986, 1987) and Krissie Bush (1984).

Farida Osman (21.38), Abbey Weitzeil (21.58), Maddie Murphy (21.76), Caroline Baldwin (21.82) and Chantal Van Landeghem (21.85) also swam in the A-final.

Event 5  Women 50 Yard Freestyle
=========================================================================
         NCAA: N 21.21  3/17/2016 Olivia Smoliga, Georgia
         Meet: C 21.21  3/17/2016 Olivia Smoliga, Georgia
     American: A 21.12  3/5/2016  Abbey Weitzeil, Canyons Aquatics
    U.S. Open: O 21.12  3/5/2016  Abbey Weitzeil, Canyons Aquatics
         Pool: P 21.52  3/16/2017 Liz Li, Ohio State
    Name           Year School            Prelims     Finals NISCA Points
=========================================================================
                            === A - Final ===                            
 
  1 Simone Manuel    SO Stanford            21.57      21.17N  192   20  
    r:+0.69  10.29        21.17 (10.88)
  2 Olivia Smoliga   SR Georgia             21.56      21.27P  190   17  
    r:+0.73  10.36        21.27 (10.91)
  3 Liz Li           JR Ohio St             21.52      21.29P  190   16  
    r:+0.67  10.25        21.29 (11.04)
  4 Farida Osman     SR California          21.83      21.38P  187   15  
    r:+0.66  10.39        21.38 (10.99)
  5 Abbey Weitzeil   FR California          21.62      21.58   183   14  
    r:+0.65  10.35        21.58 (11.23)
  6 Maddie Murphy    FR California          21.84      21.76   179   13  
    r:+0.69  10.50        21.76 (11.26)
  7 Caroline Baldwi  JR UNC                 21.80      21.82   177   12  
    r:+0.69  10.62        21.82 (11.20)
  8 Chantal Van Lan  SR Georgia             21.81      21.85   177   11  
    r:+0.72  10.62        21.85 (11.23)

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