Brazilian swimmer Manuella Andrade, who now trains at the Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida has committed to swim for the Florida State Seminoles. She’s been in the United States for the last two years.
Andrade had the best yards meet of her career a week ago at the Florida 1A (small school) State Championship meet. She was the fastest qualifier into finals of both the 200 and 500 yard freestyles and wound up finishing 4th and 3rd, respectively. She swam lifetime bests in both races at the meet.
Best times in yards:
- 50 free – 24.65
- 100 free – 52.44
- 200 free – 1:49.52
- 500 free – 4:56.03
Best times in long course meters:
- 100 free – 58.06
- 200 free – 2:06.08
- 400 free – 4:27.69
Also at the Florida State Championship meet, she anchored Bolles’ runner-up 200 free relay with a 23.56 split and swam the second leg on their runner-up 400 free relay with a 51.41 split.
“I made my decision because of the great swim program, amazing team and solid academics,” Andrade said. “I’m really excited and I can’t wait to be part of the Nole Nation!”
Andrade placed 27th at the Maria Lenk Trophy this spring, Brazil’s primary long course championship meet. She’s a three-time member of the Brazilian Junior National Team: twice in the pool (2012/2013) and once in open water (2014).
Andrade’s best chance to immediately contribute to Florida State is with her 200 free – she would’ve ranked 4th among Seminoles in the event last season, and the three ahead of her will be gone by the time she arrives.
Congrats Manu!!!! Very happy for you and wish you the best!