2017 Women’s NCAA Championships: Day 4 Prelims Live Recap

2017 WOMEN’S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

Swimmers are gearing up for the final preliminary session of the 2017 Women’s NCAA Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana. This morning brings competition in the 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly, 400 free relay, and platform diving. Timed final heats of the 1650 free will be swum later this afternoon, with the fastest heat swimming in finals.

American Record holders Simone Manuel (100 free) and Lilly King (200 breast) will headline their respective events this morning. Kathleen Baker will look to set herself up for a sweep of the backstrokes. In the 200 fly, Ella Eastin and Sarah Gibson are among the big names racing for the top spot.

WOMEN’S 200 BACK

  • NCAA record: Elizabeth Pelton (2013)- 1:47.84
  • American record: Elizabeth Pelton (2013)- 1:47.84
  • U.S. Open record: Elizabeth Pelton (2013)- 1:47.84
  • Championship Record: Elizabeth Pelton (2013)- 1:47.84
  • 2016 NCAA Champion: Danielle Galyer, Kentucky, 1:49.71
  1. Alexia Zevnik (NC State)- 1:49.71
  2. Danielle Galyer (Kentucky)- 1:49.73
  3. Kathleen Baker (Cal)- 1:49.96
  4. Ali Galyer (Kentucky)- 1:50.53
  5.  Kennedy Goss (Indiana)- 1:50.62
  6. Tasija Karosas (Texas)- 1:50.85
  7. (T-7) Asia Seidt (Kentucky)- 1:50.86
  8. (T-7) Clara Smiddy (Michigan)- 1:50.86

Last season, it took a 1:51.90 to make the A final in this event, but you had to be over a second faster than that this time around to make the cut.

NC State’s Alexia Zevnik was just a tenth off her best this morning, clocking a 1:49.71 to match the time it took to win the event last season. Kentucky’s defending champion Danielle Galyer was just 2 hundredths shy of that behind her, while teammates Ali Galyer and Asia Seidt qualified 4th and 7th respectively. Also swimming sub-1:50 in prelims was Cal’s Kathleen Baker, who will be chasing Liz Pelton’s American Record tonight after coming within a half second of it at Pac-12s last month.

Once again, the backstroke B final is loaded with star power, including Stanford’s Janet Hu (1:51.19), Cal’s Amy Bilquist (1:51.45), Missouri’s Hannah Stevens (1:51.59), and Texas’ Claire Adams (1:52.09).

A couple of big names will be absent from tonight’s final, including Stanford’s Ally Howe, the 100 back American Record holder, and UNC’s Hellen Moffitt.

WOMEN’S 100 FREE

  1. Simone Manuel (Stanford)- 46.30
  2. Olivia Smoliga (Georgia)- 46.87
  3. Mallory Comerford (Louisville)- 46.89
  4. Farida Osman (Cal)- 47.18
  5. Lia Neal (Stanford)- 47.22
  6. Abbey Weitzeil (Cal)- 47.28
  7. Beryl Gastaldello (Texas A&M)- 47.34
  8. Chantal Van Landeghem (Georgia)- 47.37

Simone Manuel tore through prelims with the 3rd fastest performance of all time, clocking a 46.30 to finish just 2 tenths shy of her own American Record and take down the Pool Record. Georgia’s Olivia Smoliga, the defending champion, and Louisville’s Mallory Comerford, last night’s 200 free co-champion, rounded out the top 3 with a pair of 46-highs.

After missing out on the championship final in the 50 and 200 freestyles, Stanford’s Lia Neal got the job done this morning with the 5th fastest time between Cal teammates Farida Osman and Abbey Weitzeil.

USC freshman Louise Hansson was a tenth shy of making the A final, finishing 9th in 47.48 ahead of Michigan’s Siobhan Haughey (47.55). Cal’s Kristen Vredeveld had a big swim this morning, breaking 48 for the first time to qualify 14th in 47.95.

WOMEN’S 200 BREAST

  1. Kierra Smith (Minnesota)- 2:05.50
  2. Sydney Pickrem (Texas A&M)- 2:05.69
  3. Emily Escobedo (UMBC)- 2:05.72
  4. Lilly King (Indiana)- 2:05.90
  5. Kayla Brumbaum (NC State)- 2:06.23
  6. Madisyn Cox (Texas)- 2:06.45
  7. Ashley McGregor (Texas A&M)- 2:06.86
  8. Andee Cottrell (Louisville)- 2:07.45

Minnesota’s Kierra Smith used her back half speed to land the top spot in the 200 breast, coming in at 2:05.50 just ahead of Texas A&M’s Sydney Pickrem, who dropped a second from her best time to take 2nd seed in 2:05.69. UMBC’s Emily Escobedo cleared 2:06 for the first time, touching in 2:05.72 to qualify ahead of American Record holder Lilly King.

NC State’s Kayla Brumbaum had a big swim, knocking over a second off her best time to take 5th, while Texas’ Madisyn Cox followed in 6th with a new best time of her own.

Texas A&M’s Bethany Galat, who finished 5th in this race last season, was just shy of making the championship final with a 2:07.72 for 9th place ahead of Virginia’s Laura Simon (2:07.81). USC’s Riley Scott (2:09.79), who entered the meet as the 3rd seed, will look to make moves in tonight’s B final after wualifying 16th.

WOMEN’S 200 FLY

  • NCAA record: Elaine Breeden (2009), 1:49.92
  • American record: Elaine Breeden (2009), 1:49.92
  • U.S. Open record: Elaine Breeden (2009), 1:49.92
  • Championship Record: Kelsi Worrell, Louisville, 1:50.61
  • 2016 NCAA Champion: Kelsi Worrell, Louisville, 1:50.96
  1. Ella Eastin (Stanford)- 1:52.58
  2. Kaitlyn Jones (Virginia)- 1:52.93
  3. Sarah Gibson (Texas A&M)- 1:53.32
  4. Lauren Case (Texas)- 1:53.44
  5. Katie McLaughlin (Cal)- 1:53.92
  6. Jen Marrkand (Virginia)- 1:54.12
  7. Remedy Rule (Texas)- 1:54.34
  8. Maddie Wright (USC)- 1:54.41

Stanford’s Ella Eastin clipped the Pool Record, formerly set at 1:52.61 by Cammile Adams, to take top seed for finals in 1:52.58. Virginia’s Kaitlyn Jones posted the only other sub-1:53 of the morning, followed closely by Texas A&M’s Sarah Gibson, a returning All-American.

Texas’ Lauren Case put up a personal best 1:53.44 to take 4th, while teammate Remedy Rule qualified 7th. She wasn’t the only freshman to make it in, however, as USC’s Maddie Wright made it in at 8th.

Tonight’s B final will include Georgia’s Chelsea Britt (1:54.44), Cal’s Noemie Thomas (1:54.84), Virginia Tech’s Klaudia Nazieblo (1:55.52), and Georgia’s Megan Kingsley (1:54.58). All 4 of those swimmers have previously earned All-American status in the event, which sets up a good race in tonight’s consolation heat.

WOMEN’S 400 FREE RELAY

  • NCAA record: Stanford (2017)- 3:08.51
  • American record: Stanford (2017)- 3:08.51
  • U.S. Open record: Stanford (2017)- 3:08.51
  • Championship Record: Stanford (2015)- 3:08.54
  • 2016 NCAA Champion: USC- 3:09.69
  1. Georgia- 3:10.54
  2. Stanford- 3:10.83
  3. USC- 3:11.28
  4. NC State- 3:11.56
  5. Cal- 3:11.75
  6. Texas A&M- 3:12.43
  7. Louisville- 3:12.61
  8. Wisconsin- 3:12.91

Olivia Smoliga charged to a 47.28 leadoff split to get the ball rolling for Georgia as they took the top seed in the 400 free relay. So far, Cal and Stanford are the only teams to have won a relay title here, so they’ll look to challenge tonight. Stanford’s Simone Manuel anchored in a blistering 46.18 to help the Cardinal earn 2nd seed, while Cal’s Kristen Vredeveld turned in a 47.45 on the Bears’ 3rd leg to help them qualify 5th behind USC and NC State.

Aside from Manuel, Louisville’s Mallory Comerford had the fastest morning split with a 47.04 on the 2nd leg.

In This Story

76
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

76 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
IMs for days
7 years ago

I’m not so sure of Ledecky is the right pick for this relay. She has incredible speed over the water, and great turns for a distance swimmer, but compared to sprint specialist her turns still lack. It isn’t a big problem in long course, but in short course it is a huge disadvantage. In the 200 free last night you could see how Ledecky was matching Simone on top of the water, but kept losing ground on the turns.

Swimnerd
Reply to  IMs for days
7 years ago

Manuel also may be one of the best we’ve ever seen in carrying speed through her turns so let’s not make it as though everyone is smoking Ledecky off the walls. If you split a 52 LC at the olympjcs you’re my pick for a 4×100 relay and I’m sure Meehan agrees

AvidSwimFan
7 years ago

Wow there is a lot “beat on Stanford” going on.

OBear73
Reply to  AvidSwimFan
7 years ago

What? Kind of sensitive there. That’s nothing compared to the past comments made on coach Teri. Stanford was ab overwhelming favorite and they are living up their their performance despite a couple of putt putts!

Pvdh
7 years ago

Sub 46 tonight?

Peter Davis
Reply to  Pvdh
7 years ago

I wouldn’t doubt it. Both Cal and Stanford have had up and down mornings, probably due to starting prelims at 7:00am PST. Both teams have really shined at night. I’d guess Simone gets just under :46, and Osman and Weitzeil join Comerford and Smoliga in :46low-to-mid. Crazy considering just last year the top three times were :46.70, :47.00, and :47.35.

Johnny G
Reply to  Peter Davis
7 years ago

No Simone or Weitzeil last year- who have been 46.0/46.2 respectively, though Weitzeil did that over 3 years ago

Swimnerd
7 years ago

I remember reading some talk of the NC state women not really performing well this weekend, but 2 up 1 down and a 400 free relay in the championship final not to mention a pair of girls who could score in the mile tonight makes for a pretty great final day

Swimmer
Reply to  Swimnerd
7 years ago

NC State looks great!!!

Danny J
7 years ago

Who is the top photo of?

ALEXANDER POP-OFF
7 years ago

So Stanford will change out Engel for Ledecky. McKeever has a lot of hands to play for CAL. Bilquist split a really nice 47.13 at PAC-12 and given her beastly relay performance, a sub-47 would be great. May be smart to sub in Kathleen Baker, who is on fire, for Vredeveld (that 47.4 is great for her though). If Weitzeil can lead off sub-47, they have a chance. Anchor with Osman (and pray! Manuel’s coming for ya!).

Wild Bill
Reply to  ALEXANDER POP-OFF
7 years ago

Abby recovering from illness (what?) – not at 100%.

AvidSwimFan
Reply to  ALEXANDER POP-OFF
7 years ago

Bilquist has not been on fire at this meet. I’ll say Weitzeil and Osman are a lock despite Weitzeil sub-par anchor. 2 spots up for grabs between Baker/Murphy/Vredeveld. Like you said Cal has room to play.

SuperFan
Reply to  AvidSwimFan
7 years ago

What’s wrong with Weitzeil? Didn’t look great this morning and saying her split on the relay, maybe she went easy on the relay I hope at least. 🙁

Observer
Reply to  SuperFan
7 years ago

Looks like she’s having some trouble adjusting to new training. Hope she finds her groove before the summer!

Husmo
Reply to  SuperFan
7 years ago

Abbey backed off and floated the last 7 meters this am.

JOnh
Reply to  Husmo
7 years ago

Her 100 free is a full second off her best time. Something is def wrong w Weitzeil as she struggled mightily this meet. She won olympic trials as i recall

SWIMFANSSSS
Reply to  AvidSwimFan
7 years ago

Bilquist split a 21.26 on Cal’s 200FR. I think Abbey, Bilquist, Baker and Osman for the 400FR.

AvidSwimFan
Reply to  SWIMFANSSSS
7 years ago

Bilquist also missed the finals in both of her main events.

Know It All
Reply to  AvidSwimFan
7 years ago

Weitzel has scored more points / been in more A finals than Bilquist…..Bilquist was 1:48 2back mid-season, so I don’t agree at all.

SuperFan
Reply to  Know It All
7 years ago

The good thing about weitzeil is even when she is having trouble in her individuals she is able to pull through for her team on relays. Would always choose her over someone else for tonight.

Bob c
Reply to  SuperFan
7 years ago

Just like on the 400 medley eh?

korn
Reply to  ALEXANDER POP-OFF
7 years ago

i might think about taking off Weitzeil.

SuperFan
Reply to  korn
7 years ago

And why in the world would that be a good idea

korn
Reply to  SuperFan
7 years ago

her split this morning and the chance she might false start and all year, her last 25 of her 100 has been shaky.

Wild Bill
7 years ago

Simone – 46.18 split – great!

DrSwimPhil
7 years ago

Florida is one mile swim away from not scoring at all at this meet. When was the last time that happened?

YoungFish11
Reply to  DrSwimPhil
7 years ago

Looks like UF isn’t going to score

About Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh is a former NCAA swimmer at the University of Arizona (2013-2015) and the University of Florida (2011-2013). While her college swimming career left a bit to be desired, her Snapchat chin selfies and hot takes on Twitter do not disappoint. She's also a high school graduate of The …

Read More »