2017 WOMEN’S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Wednesday, March 15 – Saturday, March 18
- IUPUI Natatorium – Indianapolis, IN
- Prelims 10AM/Finals 6PM (Eastern Time)
- Defending Champion: Georgia (results)
- Championship Central
- Psych Sheet
- Live stream: Wednesday/Thursday Prelims & Finals, Friday/Saturday Prelims / Friday/Saturday finals on ESPN3
- Event Previews
- Saturday Prelims Heat Sheet
- Live Results
The 2017 Women’s NCAA Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana come to close tonight with day 4 finals. Swimmers are set to vie for the national titles in the 1650 free, 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly, and 400 free relay, while divers will compete in the platform finals.
Read on for a preview of some of the top races to watch tonight.
LEDECKY CHASING SUB-15:00 IN 1650 FREE
Olympic teammates Katie Ledecky and Leah Smith will once again headline the distance free field in tonight’s final heat of the 1650 free. Stanford’s Ledecky, who set the American Record at a scorching 15:03.92 at the 2016 Ohio State Invite, will look to become the first woman to ever break 15:00 in the mile.
Virginia’s Smith will look to pass Katie Hoff on the all-time top performers list, as her personal best is within a second of Hoff’s 15:24.35 from back in 2008.
BAKER PUTS PELTON’S RECORD ON WATCH IN 200 BACK
Cal’s Kathleen Baker has looked sharp throughout the meet, and is poised to go after Liz Pelton’s American Record of 1:47.84 in the 200 back tonight. Last month at the Pac-12 Championships, Baker came within a half second of the record with a 1:48.34. If her performance in the 200 IM and 100 back were any indication, Baker is ready to take this record down.
Also in the field will be Kentucky’s defending champ Danielle Galyer and NC State’s Alexia Zevnik, who both swam times in the 1:49-range this morning.
MANUEL SEEKS FIRST SUB-46 IN 100 FREE
Stanford’s Simone Manuel is shooting for a historic result in tonight’s 100 free final, as she could become the first woman to ever break 46 seconds in the 100 free. This morning, she put up the 3rd fastest time in history, leading prelims with a 46.30. Her American Record stands at a 46.09 from the 2015 NCAA Championships.
There to push her will be Louisville’s Mallory Comerford, who has been absolutely on point all weekend. Comerford, along with Georgia’s defending champ Olivia Smoliga, Stanford’s Lia Neal, and Cal’s star sprinters Farida Osman and Abbey Weitzeil, will look to reach the 46-low range tonight.
