MacNeil Shocks Sjostrom, Becomes #2 Performer Of All-Time In 100 Fly

2019 FINA WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

• All sports: Friday, July 12 – Sunday, July 28, 2019
• Pool swimming: Sunday, July 21 – Sunday, July 28, 2019
• The Nambu University Municipal Aquatics Center, Gwangju, Korea
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After qualifying second for the final in a massive best time of 56.52, Canadian Maggie MacNeil was set to go up against one of the sport’s most dominating figures in the women’s 100 fly final in Sarah Sjostrom.

After turning fifth at the 50m wall in 26.77, MacNeil stormed home in 29.06 to run down Sjostrom and win in 55.83.

“I was very surprised. I couldn’t believe it. I looked up and I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I’m out of this world right now.’ ” MacNeil said.

“I’ve definitely been working on my second 50. I tend not to go out as fast as the other girls, but I definitely can come back really well,” she said.

That time gives the 19-year-old a new Commonwealth Record, Americas Record, Canadian Record, and makes her the second-fastest performer of all-time. She joins Sjostrom and American Dana Vollmer in the elusive sub-56 club.

The Commonwealth Record was held by Emma McKeon, who went 56.18 at the 2017 World Championships, the Americas Record previously belonged to Vollmer at 55.98, while the Canadian mark was owned by Penny Oleksiak who won Olympic silver behind Sjostrom in 2016 in a time of 56.46.

All-Time Performers, Women’s 100 Fly

1. Sarah Sjostrom (SWE), 55.48 – 2016
2. Maggie MacNeil (CAN), 55.83 – 2019
3. Dana Vollmer (USA), 55.98 – 2012
4. Liu Zige (CHN), 56.07 – 2009
5. Rikako Ikee (JPN), 56.08 – 2018

McKeon, MacNeil and Sjostrom. Courtesy Swimming Canada/Ian MacNicol

MacNeil’s swim also checks in as the eighth-fastest performance of all-time with Sjostrom holding the top-7. Her back 50 split is actually faster than Sjostrom has ever closed in, as the Swede’s best showing on the second 50 was a 29.12 during her World Championship winning swim back at the 2009 Championships in Rome.

Coming into the competition,the rising sophomore at Michigan held a best time of 57.04 from the Canadian Trials in April. Prior to that meet, her best was 58.38 from the Junior Pan Pacs last summer.

This is her second medal of the competition after winning bronze on Canada’s 400 free relay on night one.

“Tonight has to be one of the greatest nights ever if not the greatest night for a Canadian swimming team at a World Championship,” said High Performance Director and National Coach John Atkinson.

“Our athletes continue to convert opportunities. Maggie MacNeil swam an outstanding race to become world champion in the women’s 100 butterfly. Congratulations to Maggie and also to her Canadian club coach Andrew Craven at the London Aquatic Club where she came through the program.”

After leading at the halfway mark, Sjostrom faded, coming home in 30.26, and finished in 56.22. McKeon picked up the bronze in 56.61.

Quotes courtesy of Swimming Canada.