Manuel Unseats Kennedy for 4th-Fastest American 50 Freestyler All-Time

2016 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS

Tonight in the women’s 50 free final, Simone Manuel grabbed another event for her Rio schedule, going a personal best 24.33.

Madison Kennedytonight’s third-place finisher who just missed the Rio team (24.48), was bumped from third to fourth-fastest American 50 freestyler all-time yesterday by Weitzeil’s prelims swim of 24.34. Today, she was bumped down again, this time by Manuel, who slipped in front of her in the all-time rankings with 24.33.

Manuel’s swim from today also unseats Kennedy as the second-fastest American textile swimmer in history. See the American all-time rankings below:

  1. Dara Torres: 24.07 (2008 Beijing Olympics)
  2. Amanda Weir: 24.23 (2009 World Championships)
  3. Abbey Weitzeil: 24.28 (2016 Olympic Trials finals)
  4. Simone Manuel: 24.33 (2016 Olympic Trials finals)
  5. Madison Kennedy: 24.39 (2016 Olympic Trials semis)

Manuel now sits seventh in the world this year in the 50. She will take on the 50 free, the 100 free, and the 400 free relay in Rio, after finishing second in the 100 on Friday with 53.52.

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JONATHAN W WASHBURN
8 years ago

Call me old fashioned. But I would prefer to see swimmers on the Olympic team without nose rings. (Personally, I would like to see all people without nose rings, but …) It just wasn’t an issue decades ago when I swam in college, but I remember my daughter’s relay team was disqualified once when she took her cap off and had an earring in. At the time I was disappointed that a covered earring caused the DQ after the race and only after the cap was removed, but I was also upset that my daughter knew the rule and didn’t adhere to it. I guess there are no rules like this at the national level. (Also, I have heard no… Read more »

Sven
Reply to  JONATHAN W WASHBURN
8 years ago

USA Swimming does not have a jewelry rule on any level, national or otherwise, and I believe the National High School Federation just recently removed theirs from the rulebook as well since it creates additional administrative burden to enforce and serves no advantage, detriment, or danger to any of the athletes. I’m not sure about NCAA rules. Either way, you are always welcome to your preference, although I’m curious as to how you feel about swimmers on the team with tattoos, like Anthony Ervin’s sleeves?

Captain Ahab
Reply to  JONATHAN W WASHBURN
8 years ago

I agree. Her nose ring was unprofessional and tacky. Probably caused drag and that’s why she was third and not first or second.

Hswimmer
Reply to  Captain Ahab
8 years ago

Wow really. It’s her life and she can do what she wants to be unique and different. Maybe she just likes it? It’s up to her.

Captain Ahab
Reply to  Hswimmer
8 years ago

Hswimmer, I am sorry that you have such low expectations. There are other ways to express yourself be unique and different besides self mutilation (i.e. nose rings, tattoos, and piercings). The sport of competitive swimming is about merit, honor, achievement, esprite de corps and professionalism (in and out of the pool); Therefore, you must understand that people will judge you treat you with professionalism or not based on your first appearance. Swimming is considered a country club sport where the athletes are placed on a higher level of respect and not a freak show.

Sven
Reply to  Captain Ahab
8 years ago

I have to admit I’m a bit confused here, Cap. On the article about Maya Dirado’s retirement after Rio, you seemed to place a lot of importance on the freedom granted by being a professional swimmer. You implied that there is shame in taking a mainstream job, and that people choosing that route have low expectations (a phrase used again here– it seems no one quite lives up to your standards).

Your statements there seem to dictate that you would hate to have someone else’s rules and expectations imposed on you through work, and yet here you are imposing your expectations on someone else’s life for a nose ring. So, to recap, your stance is that people should avoid having… Read more »

Captain Ahab
Reply to  Sven
8 years ago

Sven, go ahead take a mainstream job if it fits you. If you have nothing else going good for yourself but I would like to encourage you if you had abilities and skills that would allow you to pursue independent that would bring you greater honor through achievement.

Hswimmer
Reply to  Captain Ahab
8 years ago

Nose rings and tattoos have nothing to do with someone’s personality or professionalism. Please, this is 2016. Not 1960.

Captain Ahab
Reply to  Hswimmer
8 years ago

The two of you make a similar mistake. I don’t hold it against you. It is simply a reflection of one or two things. 1. A lackluster education that does not give you the ability or sharpen skills to differentiate between rights, license, character, and personality. Yes, you have the right to wear a nose ring. However, you also have the responsibility to deal with the conciquences. On a personal level, I feel sorry for people who do not have the self confidence that they should and in term scare there body for attention or because they feel incomplete. Of course that is a sign of a beep psychological issue even despite that I am sure that she can still… Read more »

Captain Ahab
Reply to  Hswimmer
8 years ago

The second issue you may have. If not a lackluster education is a ddfeatful unsportsmanlike when at any cost approach to our discussion and the attempted pursuit of wisdom or at least what I hope for and social exchange to make us better people. Try not to push others into false extremes and stereotypes as a matter of honesty and mutual respect as long as she has the nose ring she limits her self to particular association that are more understanding. Which may not be the majority of people or even the cooperate America that you champion.

Attila the Hunt
8 years ago
Esther
8 years ago

So disappointed that Madison Kennedy didn’t make the team. But what a great run and fast swimming this week.Wish her all the best and hope to see more of her, whether it’s in the pool or somewhere swim fans can enjoy her witty commentary.

Steve Nolan
8 years ago

Manuel will be on the medley relay too, yes?

irviner
Reply to  Steve Nolan
8 years ago

Most likely the prelims one.

Attila the Hunt
Reply to  irviner
8 years ago

uh..no.
If Manuel finishes ahead of Weitzeil in the individual 100free, she’ll get to swim 4×100 medley final.

E GAMBLE
Reply to  Attila the Hunt
8 years ago

I really do think if Manuel had not swam 3x 200 frees she would have gone faster in the 50 and 100

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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