Mallory Comerford Throws Down Meet Record 53.2 100 Free in Indy

2017 U.S. NATIONALS/WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TRIALS

With a big swim in prelims to lead the way to finals, rising Louisville junior Mallory Comerford put down a big 53.26 to break the 100 free meet record. Swimming in the penultimate heat, Comerford beat out 2016 Olympian Abbey Weitzeil to post the top time of prelims overall.

Weitzeil held the old record– a 53.28 from Trials last summer. Comerford just got under that by two hundredths. That time also marks a personal best for the Cardinal, coming into the meet with a lifetime best 53.91.

SPLITS

25.67 – 27.59 (53.26)

Comerford finished ahead of 2016 Olympic Champion Simone Manuel (53.50) and another Olympian, Kelsi Worrell (53.87). Tonight, she’ll be gunning for a spot on her first major international roster– top 6 makes the relay, and a top 2 finish would give her an individual swim in Budapest later on this summer.

Comerford has been figuring out how to swim long course the last year or so, and it’s really starting to come together. With the way she looked this morning, she could come through with a sub-53 performance tonight.

53.26 makes Comerford the third-fastest U.S. performer of all time.

U.S. ALL-TIME RANKINGS

  1. Simone Manuel 52.70
  2. Amanda Weir 53.02
  3. Mallory Comerford 53.26
  4. Abbey Weitzeil 53.28
  5. Dana Vollmer 53.30
  6. Missy Franklin 53.36

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Prickle
6 years ago

Abbey Weitzeil – 29.49 for the second fifty when 27mid is a mediocre time at the level of the club she belongs to.. Something definitely has happened to this swimmer who was able to split 52.5 in Rio.

Dee
6 years ago

Fair play to those calling a 53low for Mallory, I couldn’t see it myself, I thought more 53.5 – Big swim, and with Cate out, the USA might actually be the 4x100fr favourites this year. They’ll need to develop further once CC is back though – Campbell/Campbell/McKeon/Jack will be another level up.

Prickle
6 years ago

So sad for Abbey Weitzeil and so happy that Americans have found immediate replacement of the same caliber. It is unbelievable that four of six of American Olympic relay team are gone and the new team looks as almost strong as the former one.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
6 years ago

I knew she would have a break out swim in Long course – so happy for her and Team Usa . She will be needed on that 400 free relay .

marklewis
6 years ago

I’m looking good so far in this event in the TYR contest. All 6 of my picks are in the final.

I have Simone, Mallory, Lia, Katie, Kelsi, Olivia in that order.

Mallory swam that 53.9 earlier in the season, so that’s why I put her second.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  marklewis
6 years ago

me too Mark , i had selected those very 6 to make the team this summer .

Tea rex
6 years ago

Mallory Comerford is blowing up. She went 59 in the 100 lcm fly this season, an event she has never swam tapered.

I also like Simone, so I hope the two of them go get after it tonight.

Cmon
6 years ago

Is this crazier than Zach apple throwing down a 48.1 to lead prelims? Where’s that article.

Tea rex
Reply to  Cmon
6 years ago

Sweet swim.
Not a meet record though.

Cmon
Reply to  Tea rex
6 years ago

Most unexpected swim I’ve seen lately for sure.

Rafael
Reply to  Cmon
6 years ago

On US lately? Yes.. but I can´t find this as “more unexpected” than Heintz 1:55 or Verraszto 4:07..

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Cmon
6 years ago

not crazier but very welcome ……

john26
6 years ago

Let’s not forget Sjostrom swam a 53.1 in prelims of a training meet last year, and the world didn’t even flinch. Comerford’s swim is a welcome surprise, but let’s not lose sight of the gap between where Sarah is and where the rest of the world is. Even if Manuel and Comerford can drop down to 52high, remember how big the gap between 47.0 and 47.7 in the men’s version of the race is.

Rafael
Reply to  john26
6 years ago

Sjostrom is making the Rest of the world fell like another class on her double 50/100 fly/free right now.. Unless someone appears to have a shot of breaking the current WR she will probably be on another class by Budapeste.. but Silver/Bronze might be open on Rio

john26
Reply to  john26
6 years ago

last week**

Joe
Reply to  john26
6 years ago

You’re right, her swim is not that big in the context of Sarah’s 52.08. But it’s big when it comes to possibly making a World Champs final and maybe even have an outside shot at a medal(altough I predict sub 53 is needed). Honestly before this morning I thought Manuel was the only one in this field that could make the World champs final, let alone have a chance to medal. So good for Comerford, but let’s see if she backs it up in the final aswell.

Rafael
Reply to  Joe
6 years ago

Comeford set her up good for final.. 100 will probably roll like this: Sjostrom WR far ahead, them we have the girls who can go sub-53, Ranomi, Manuel, Oleksiak, Campbell, Mckeon and the other who may go as Comeford, Federica (If she swims for real the 100)

About Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon studied sociology at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, graduating in May of 2018. He began swimming on a club team in first grade and swam four years for Wesleyan.

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