North America: U.S. Sweep 100 Free Titles For First Time Since 1991

2017 FINA WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Sunday, July 23rd – Sunday, July 30th
• Budapest, Hungary
• LCM (50m)
• Full Competition Schedule
• Meet Info
• Psych Sheets
• Omega Results
• Pick ’em Contest
• Event-by-Event Previews

The American sprint freestylers have been making history all week.

First, the U.S. swept the 400 free relays at the World Championships for the first time since 1991, compiling numerous titles in the years since but never claiming them simultaneously until they got the job done on day 1.

Then, Caeleb Dressel won the 100 free, the first American title since Anthony Ervin in 2001. Nathan Adrian‘s runner-up also gave the U.S. men their first 1-2 finish since 1978.

The momentum continued today, as Simone Manuel captured 100 free gold over the heavily favored world record holder for the second straight major championship. In Rio, Manuel tied Penny Oleksiak in 52.70 to defeat Cate Campbell, who had broken the world record earlier in the year at 52.06.

This time around it was Sarah Sjostrom, who broke the world record at the beginning of the meet, leading off the Swedish relay in 51.71. However, come the final Manuel thrived once again. She ran down the Swede with a tantalizing back-half, winning gold in an American record of 52.27.

That gave the U.S. the women’s 100 free world title for the first time since 1998, when Jenny Thompson took gold in Perth. It was also the first time the Americans swept the 100 free, winning both the male and female titles, since 1991, when Matt Biondi and Nicole Haislett won gold.

That is some serious history, as U.S. sprinting seems to be in good hands after many suggested they were in trouble not so long ago. In 2015, they didn’t medal in either 100 freestyle event at the World Championships, and the American men didn’t even final in the 400 free relay.

Dressel has proven to be the best male sprinter in the world at this meet, and Manuel seems to be immune to pressure. The two, who have both have one year remaining in college, will lead the American sprint freestyle charge for years to come. They’re certainly in good hands.

OTHER NORTH AMERICAN ACTION

RECORDS

• American – Simone Manuel – Women’s 100 Freestyle (52.27)
• Canadian – Kylie Masse– Women’s 200 Backstroke (2:05.97)
• American – Caeleb Dressel – Men’s 50 Freestyle (21.29)
• Canadian – Penny Oleksiak – Women’s 50 Butterfly (25.66)

MEDALS

• Gold – Simone Manuel – Women’s 100 Freestyle (52.27)
• Silver – Ryan Murphy – Men’s 200 Backstroke (1:54.21)
• Silver – Bethany Galat – Women’s 200 Breaststroke (2:21.77)
• Bronze – Jacob Pebley – Men’s 200 Backstroke (1:55.06)
• Bronze – USA (Pieroni, Haas, Conger, Grothe) – Men’s 4×200 Free (7:03.18)

ADVANCING TO FINALS TOMORROW

• Women’s 200 Back: Masse (CAN), Baker (USA), Smith (USA), Caldwell (CAN)
• Men’s 50 Free: Dressel (USA)
• Men’s 100 Fly: Dressel (USA)
• Women’s 50 Fly: Worrell (USA), Oleksiak (CAN)

MEDAL TABLE

Rank	Federation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	United States of America	10	10	5	25
2	Canada	1	0	1	2

Day 6 saw the Americans add five medals, led by Manuel’s gold. They now hold a 16-medal lead over China in terms of total medals, and their ten golds leads Great Britain by six.