2017 Women’s NCAAs Race Video: Comerford Ties Ledecky for 200 FR Title

2017 WOMEN’S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

Reported by Lauren Neidigh

WOMEN’S 200 FREE

  • NCAA record: Missy Franklin (2015)- 1:39.10
  • American record: Missy Franklin (2015)- 1:39.10
  • U.S. Open record: Missy Franklin (2015)- 1:39.10
  • Championship Record: Missy Franklin (2015)- 1:39.10
  • 2016 NCAA Champion: Brittany MacLean (Georgia)- 1:42.42
  1. (*T-1*) Mallory Comerford (Louisville)- 1:40.36
  2. (*T-1*) Katie Ledecky (Stanford)- 1:40.36
  3. Simone Manuel (Stanford)- 1:40.70

How many swimmers can say they successfully ran down Katie Ledecky? Louisville’s Mallory Comerford can. Despite taking it out over half a second slower, Comerford unleashed a monster back half split to tie Ledecky for NCAA gold in the 200 free, as the 2 swimmers touched in 1:40.36.

With the tie, both swimmers demolished the former Pool Record of 1:41.41 done by Stanford’s Simone Manuel on the 800 free relay leadoff at this meet. Manuel had the early lead in tonight’s final, but faded to 3rd in 1:40.70.

Splits Comparison: Mallory Comerford vs. Katie Ledecky vs. Simone Manuel by 50

SWIMMER 1ST 50 SPLIT 2ND 50 SPLIT 3RD 50 SPLIT 4TH 50 SPLIT FINAL TIME
Mallory Comerford  23.95  25.51  25.37  25.53 1:40.36
Katie Ledecky  23.71  25.19  25.84  25.62 1:40.36
Simone Manuel(2017)  23.28  25.18  25.80  26.44 1:40.70

Splits Comparison: Mallory Comerford vs. Katie Ledecky vs. Simone Manuel by 100

SWIMMER 1ST 100 SPLIT 2ND 100 SPLIT FINAL TIME
Mallory Comerford 49.46 50.90 1:40.36
Katie Ledecky 48.90 51.46 1:40.36
Simone Manuel 48.46 52.24 1:40.70

Comerford and Ledecky are now tied as the 2nd fastest performers in history behind only Missy Franklin, who set the American Record at 1:39.10 at the 2015 NCAA Championship meet.

All Time Top Performers: Women’s 200 Free

  1. Missy Franklin- 1:39.10
  2. (T-2) Mallory Comerford– 1:40.36
  3. (T-2) Katie Ledecky– 1:40.36
  4. Simone Manuel– 1:40.37
  5. Allison Schmitt- 1:40.62

AB

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Marklewis
7 years ago

Comerford had really good final turn. She conserved her energy and was speeding up at the end. Manuel was slowing down.

Honestly, it looked like Ledecky out-touched Mallory on the finish, but the clock never lies.

Must be exciting for Mallory to be up there with the Olympic gold medalists battling for the win.

Prickle
Reply to  Marklewis
7 years ago

It’s worth to pay some attention to the Ledecky’s and Comerford’s splits. They all are not the best way to swim 200 yards. Especially it can be said about Comrford where the third fifty were the fastest one. It was a race first of all and it was not about time. Having Manual still ahead of her up to the last 10 – 12 yards Katie Ledecky hasn’t probably paid much attention to the Comerford who was well behind after the first half. I think it was Ledecky’s tactic in this race to stay not more than a half body length behind Semone and to surge at last 15 yards knowing that Manual won’t be able to accelerate at finish.… Read more »

swimmom
Reply to  Prickle
7 years ago

Great race for Katie and Mallory. If Mallory had upset Katie – how would that have been undeserved? You have to pay attention to all competitors – not just one… if Mallory had won outright, Katie would have deserved to be bet because of a flawed way of thinking and racing.

If Mallory had lost by 0.01 – I hardly think she would have thought it was an unsuccessful meet.

Fixed mindsets such as this are such a problem in this sport.

bobo gigi
7 years ago

That’s a 2.18s time drop since her freshman year! From 1.42.54 to 1.40.36!
WOW!
In the 100 free she was in 48.31. And so far this season she already lowered her PB to 46.75 at ACC championships . . . where she was in 1.41.70 in the 200 free. So if my maths are good she improved her 200 free by 1.34s since ACCs. So if swimming is logical she should improve her 100 free by 0.67s which means a 46.08 tonight in final! A new American record! But will it be enough to beat Simone Manuel? 😆

Swimmer
Reply to  bobo gigi
7 years ago

Amazing! Does anyone know what her best was before college?

bobo gigi
7 years ago

Thanks for the videos!

Wild Bill
7 years ago

Mallory – what turns and stroke efficiency!

Wild Bill
7 years ago

Wow!

Irviner
7 years ago

Thanks for the video! Is it possible to post the race videos to the other events as well?

About Hannah Hecht

Hannah Hecht

Hannah Hecht grew up in Kansas and spent most of her childhood trying to convince coaches to let her swim backstroke in freestyle sets. She took her passion to Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa and swam at NAIA Nationals all four years. After graduating in 2015, she moved to …

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