Reported by Anne Lepesant.
WOMEN 50 LC METER FREESTYLE
- American: 23.97 7/30/2017 Simone Manuel
- U.S. Open: 24.13 5/18/2008 Cate Campbell
- U.S. Open Meet: 24.90 8/8/2009 Jessica Hardy
- GOLD- Madison Kennedy, SwimMAC Carolina, 24.92
- SILVER- Marie Wattel, France 25.06
- BRONZE- Rebecca Millard, Longhorn Aquatics 25.52
Top qualifier Madison Kennedy of SwimMAC Carolina got off to a fast start and looked dominant throughout the 50 meters. Next to her, France’s Marie Wattel gained momentum as the race went on but she wasn’t able to catch Kennedy, who won in 24.92, a mere 2/100 off the meet mark set by Jessica Hardy in 2009.
Kennedy was the only sub-25 in the field. Wattel took second with 25.06, her best by 0.40, and the second-fastest French performance of the year. The race for third was tight, with Rebecca Millard of Longhorn Aquatics getting the nod with 25.52 from the outside lane.
14-year-old Gretchen Walsh of Nashville Aquatic Club was just 5/100 behind Millard, but it was her best time by another 16/100. She had already taken 10/100 off her PB in prelims, and now moves from #5 all-time to #4 all-time in the 13-14 age category.
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