TYR Pro Series: Simone Manuel Ekes Out Tight Victory in 100 Freestyle; Blake Pieroni on Top
History has shown that nothing is given at the United States Olympic Trials, but among the heaviest favorites for an Olympic berth in Tokyo this summer is Simone Manuel. That status was confirmed on Thursday night when Manuel, the reigning co-Olympic champion in the event, won the 100 freestyle at the TYR Pro Series stop in San Antonio.
Competing in her first meet in a year, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Manuel claimed a narrow victory in a tightly packed field when she recorded a time of 54.62. That time allowed Manuel to hold off Abbey Weitzeil, who came through with a mark of 54.68. The third spot went to Katie Ledecky, whose 54.74 revealed decent speed for the distance ace.
After sharing the gold medal in the 100 freestyle at the Rio Games with Canadian Penny Oleksiak, Manuel captured back-to-back titles in the event at the World Championships in 2017 and 2019. Her performance from Thursday night might not have been speedy, but the opportunity to race against a quality field cannot be discounted as Manuel chases a fourth consecutive global championship.
In the men’s 100 freestyle, which figures to be one of the most hotly contested events at the U.S. Olympic Trials, Blake Pieroni came charging down the final lap and won in 49.19 to beat Zach Apple (49.49) and Maxime Rooney (49.51). Rooney had the fastest split over the last 50 meters, covering that length in 25.44. Taking fourth was Tate Jackson, who touched in 49.52.
In the consolation final, Nathan Adrian came through for the victory in 49.53, with two-time defending world champ Caeleb Dressel going 49.75.
Women’s 100 Freestyle
Event 3 Women 100 LC Meter Freestyle
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World: W 51.71 7/23/2017 Sarah Sjostrom, SWE
American: A 52.04 7/26/2019 Simone Manuel, USA
U.S. Open: O 52.54 7/25/2018 Simone Manuel, Stanford Swimmin
Jr World: J 52.70 8/11/2016 Penny Oleksiak, CAN
Pro Swim: P 53.12 2016 Sarah Sjostrom
55.56 W-II Oly Trials Wave II
56.29 W-I Oly Trials Wave I
Name Age Team Prelims Finals Points
=========================================================================
=== A - Final ===
1 Simone Manuel 24 Alto Swim Club 54.36 54.62
r:+0.70 25.90 54.62 (28.72)
2 Abbey Weitzeil 24 California Aquat 54.70 54.68
r:+0.69 25.98 54.68 (28.70)
3 Katie Ledecky 23 Nation's Capital 54.98 54.74
r:+0.66 26.55 54.74 (28.19)
4 Kathryn McLaugh 23 California Aquat 55.21 54.82
r:+0.72 26.82 54.82 (28.00)
4 Linnea Mack 25 Team Elite 55.03 54.82
r:+0.74 26.17 54.82 (28.65)
6 Olivia Smoliga 26 Athens Bulldog S 55.21 55.03
r:+0.71 26.29 55.03 (28.74)
7 *Beryl Gastalde 26 Aggie Swim Club 55.29 55.22
r:+0.64 26.64 55.22 (28.58)
8 Regan Smith 19 Riptide 55.23 55.26
r:+0.74 26.60 55.26 (28.66)
Men’s 100 Freestyle
Event 4 Men 100 LC Meter Freestyle
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World: W 46.91 7/30/2009 Cesar Cielo Filho, BRA
American: A 46.96 7/25/2019 Caeleb Dressel, USA
U.S. Open: O 47.39 7/31/2019 Ryan Held, New York Athleti
Jr World: J 47.57 10/30/2020Andrei Minakov, RUS
Pro Swim: P 48.00 2016 Nathan Adrian
49.74 W-II Oly Trials Wave II
50.49 W-I Oly Trials Wave I
Name Age Team Prelims Finals Points
=========================================================================
=== A - Final ===
1 Blake Pieroni 25 Sandpipers Of Ne 49.53 49.19
r:+0.66 23.75 49.19 (25.44)
2 Zach Apple 23 Mission Viejo Na 49.77 49.49
r:+0.64 23.93 49.49 (25.56)
3 Maxime Rooney 22 Pleasanton Seaha 49.40 49.51
r:+0.61 23.11 49.51 (26.40)
4 Tate Jackson 24 Longhorn Aquatic 50.12 49.52
r:+0.69 23.45 49.52 (26.07)
5 Justin Ress 23 Wolfpack Elite 50.00 49.60
r:+0.66 23.82 49.60 (25.78)
6 Coleman Stewart 23 Wolfpack Elite 49.93 49.69
r:+0.60 24.01 49.69 (25.68)
7 Andrew Seliskar 24 California Aquat 49.74 49.77
r:+0.60 23.74 49.77 (26.03)
8 Ryan Held 25 New York Athleti 49.80 49.82
r:+0.63 23.35 49.82 (26.47)
