When Simone Manuel went a lifetime-best in prelims of the 100 free at NCSA juniors, it seemed like she might have been going after her prelims swim a little harder than some of the other top seeds.
Turns out that 47.67 was just a walk in the park for the 17-year-old.
Manuel came back at finals to go 47.09, obliterating the field and breaking the 17-18 National Age Group record in the event held by the outstanding Missy Franklin. At just 17, Manuel is still on the younger end of her age group, and should have a chance to lower this record even further, perhaps into the 46s, next season at Stanford.
The First Colony star went out in 22.77 and held on extremely well, coming home in 24.32. That time (47.09) breaks Franklin’s 47.17 set at Pac-12s just a few weeks ago. Of course, Franklin will have a shot to take the mark back this weekend as she competes at the NCAA Championships, but the real excitement has to be the meeting of these two swimmers head-to-head multiple times next year as both with reside within the Pac-12.
Here’s a quick splits comparison of the two swims:
- Manuel 22.77/ Franklin 22.89
- Manuel 24.32/ Franklin 24.28
- Manuel 47.09/ Franklin 47.17
She is fantatic . Well done
Almost my sub 47 prediction for Miss Manuel! 🙂
Congrats to her.
Fantastic swim!
Stanford relays will be crazy in the next years.
I agree. Stanford’s sprint relays will trash the NCAA record books, and they might become unbeatable for the next three years.