Kate Douglass Jumps Up To #3 All-Time With ACC Record 21.09 In 50 Free

2021 NCAA WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Kate Douglass has vaulted into third all-time in the women’s 50 freestyle.

Leading off Virginia’s 200 free relay on Thursday night at NCAAs, Douglass recorded a time of 21.09 to lower her ACC Record of 21.21 set in the individual 50 free prelims and jump up from t-5th to third in the event’s history.

The Cavalier sophomore entered the day with a PB of 21.42, which ranked her 12th all-time, and then her prelim time slid her into the top five, tied with Georgia alum Olivia Smoliga.

Now, with the individual 50 free still to come, Douglass overtakes former American Record holder Simone Manuel, Arkansas alum Anna Hopkin and Smoliga for third, trailing only Abbey Weitzeil and Erika Brown.

Update: Maggie MacNeil‘s time of 21.17 in the individual final moves her into a tie with Manuel for fourth, having previously ranked ninth in 21.30. Douglass won the individual 50 freestyle in a time of 21.13.

All-Time Performers, Women’s 50 Freestyle (SCY)

  1. Abbey Weitzeil (CAL), 20.90 – 2019
  2. Erika Brown (TENN), 21.03 – 2020
  3. Kate Douglass (UVA), 21.09 – 2021
  4. Simone Manuel (STAN)/ Maggie MacNeil (MICH), 21.17 – 2017/2021
  5. Anna Hopkin (UARK), 21.19 – 2019
  6. Olivia Smoliga (UGA), 21.21 – 2016
  7. Lara Jackson (ARIZ), 21.27 – 2009
  8. Liz Li (OSU), 21.28 – 2018
  9. Farida Osman (CAL), 21.32 – 2016

Douglass’ swim also tied for the fifth-fastest performance ever, only trailing three Weitzeil efforts and Brown’s 21.03.

All-Time Performances, Women’s 50 Freestyle (SCY)

  1. Abbey Weitzeil (CAL), 20.90 – 2019
  2. Abbey Weitzeil (CAL), 21.02 – 2019
  3. Erika Brown (TENN) / Abbey Weitzeil, 21.03 – 2020
  4. Abbey Weitzeil (CAL) – 2020 / Kate Douglass (UVA) – 2021, 21.09

Although they came in as the favorites, the Virginia women were beat by Cal in the relay, with the Bears receiving three 21.2 splits for a final time of 1:25.78, edging out UVA’s 1:25.97. Click here to read more on the relay and rest of tonight’s finals action.

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Celeste
3 years ago

Need to update MacNeil’s time to join Simone Manuel for 4th

Spectator
3 years ago

Anyone notice the girls look like they just don’t care when they win

Admin
Reply to  Spectator
3 years ago

I think they’re just exhausted. They all smile and get excited when the camera cuts back to them after they have a minute to breathe.

You have to remember……..the effort put in to swim this fast is akin to pushing your body toward the verge of death. Oxygen deprivation, adrenaline up the yingyang…

ACCSWIM
Reply to  Braden Keith
3 years ago

Remember – these swimmers are doing this in a covid world – wearing masks all the time – required to follow so many new rules – it is not easy – at this meet they have to always be thinking about safety protocols – public perception of being covid safe – making sure their team is following safety rules – no fans cheering them on – no parents to hug afterwards – this is not normal or the same as years past. In 2019 – all they had to worry about was swimming fast for their team – This is a very very different year.

Let them have time to catch their breath and take all what they have… Read more »

Wild Bill
3 years ago

Wow!

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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