Weitzeil Becomes 3rd-Fastest American 50 Freestyler, Fastest Textile

2016 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS

Tonight in the women’s 50 freestyle semifinals, Abbey Weitzeil of Canyons Aquatics took the top seed for the final tomorrow night, also becoming the third-fastest American in history with 24.34.

Coming into the meet this week, Weitzeil was ranked the 12th-fastest American female 50 freestyler in history with her 24.80 from Irvine in 2014. This morning, she bypassed big names like Natalie Coughlin and Kara Lynn Joyce for the seventh rank (24.52). Tonight, she made an even bigger jump up to the third in the world rank, passing up Jessica Hardy, Simone Manueland Madison Kennedy.

SwimMAC’s Kennedy, meanwhile, swam a personal best tonight, but was bumped from third in American history to fourth. See the all-time top American swimmers below:

  1. Dara Torres: 24.07 (2008)
  2. Amanda Weir: 24.23 (2009)
  3. Abbey Weitzeil: 24.34 (2016)
  4. Madison Kennedy: 24.39 (2016)
  5. Simone Manuel: 24.47 (2015)

Because Torres and Weir swam their events in the suit-era 2008 and 2009, Weitzeil and Kennedy swam the first and second fastest American textile performances in history.

With those swims, the duo now rank fifth (tied) and seventh in the world this year.

2015-2016 LCM Women 50 Free

CateAUS
CAMPBELL
04/14
23.84
2Pernille
BLOOM
DEN24.0708/13
2Ranomi
KROMOWIDJOJO
NED24.0705/22
4Simone
MANUEL
USA24.0908/13
5Aliaksandra
HERASIMENIA
BLR24.1108/13
6Francesca
HALSALL
GBR24.1308/13
7Sarah
SJOSTROM
SWE24.1701/16
View Top 26»

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Taa
8 years ago

I hope you guys saw the underwater video of the race you can appreciate that both Weitzeil and Kennedy swam really excellent sprint 50s. I doubt they go faster tonight because I dont think the can improve on what they did in semi.

Victor P
8 years ago

Hopefully, Weitzeil’s training methods will catch the attention of the rest of US women sprinters. I’m sure it’s much more in line with the type of training being done by Australia. It’s going to take sub 24 to medal in Rio and it’s going to take 24.3 to make the final. I think Weitzeil will squeak in, but that’s it.

Murica
Reply to  Victor P
8 years ago

Y’all don’t even know. Coley on some mad scientist sheeeit.

Taa
Reply to  Murica
8 years ago

They should send over the young girl who didnt wear a tech suit to train with him.

Attila the Hunt
8 years ago
Siobhan
8 years ago

She keeps getting better and better!

Attila the Hunt
8 years ago
spectatorn
8 years ago

did Bronte Campbell swim 24.34 or 24.24? the ranking above have Abbey Weitzeil at 24.24 but she swam 24.34 today.

woolloomoolloo
Reply to  spectatorn
8 years ago

Bronte swam 24.24 at the Australian trials

John haas
8 years ago

Go Abbey!! This girl can fly. The more i watch her the more Im impressed.

Attila the Hunt
8 years ago

American women sprinters are much faster today than in 2012!
Fact!

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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