Manuel’s 51.9 Anchors USA to New American Record in Gwangju

2019 FINA WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

The American women made history on night 1 of the 2019 FINA World Championships as the quartet of Mallory Comerford, Abbey Weitzeil, Kelsi Dahlia, and Simone Manuel took down the American Record en route to a silver medal. Comerford took the leadoff leg with a 52.98. Weitzeil then dove in to storm to the lead for the Americans with a 52.66.

The third leg went to Dahlia, who put up a 53.46. Canada and Australia took over the lead at that point, but the Americans were still in the hunt. Olympic champion Manuel took on the anchor leg in 51.92, which was enough to catch Canada and give the USA the silver behind the Aussies, who set a new Championship Record to win it.

American Splits:

Team USA combined for a 3:31.02, breaking their former American Record mark of 3:31.72 from the 2017 World Championships relay. Comerford, Dahlia, and Manuel were also members of that 2017 relay.

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Breezeway
5 years ago

The US needs more fast consistent 100M sprinters to be able keep up and beat AUS and hold off CAN.
We have Simone, Mallory, Abby and that’s it! The US has no FAST depth

Jjran
Reply to  Breezeway
5 years ago

Margo was faster than Abbey flat start last year. Doubtful Lea or Margo fully rested for this meet as both are going to Pan Ams swimming individual events.

Paolo
Reply to  Breezeway
5 years ago

Gretchen Walsh, next year

Breezeway
Reply to  Paolo
5 years ago

Walsh sisters, Erika Brown, etc. Simone, Mallory and Abbey need help going into Tokyo next summer

Tomek
5 years ago

What is Dahlia best 100 free split? Is it 53.16 from 2017 words?

CK73
5 years ago

Does everyone forget about Mallory Comerford? She’s been one of the most consistent sprinters, especially on relays, during the last few World Championships (LCM and SCM). She’s been part of World and American record relays. It seems like she gets overlooked routinely. She’s been the American Record holder in the individual 100m free (although briefly) and she rarely gets a mention. I’d love to see her pull a major individual upset this meet.

Tomek
Reply to  CK73
5 years ago

+1

Really
Reply to  CK73
5 years ago

Just got beat head-on by Sarah and Bronte, going .3 off her best?

73ck
Reply to  Really
5 years ago

0.3 off a lifetime best for the first race of the meet is not bad.

E Gamble
Reply to  CK73
5 years ago

Mallory is a great asset. But… she’s not the faster of the two and she’s not the anchor. C1 and Manuel were the only two swimmers to split 51s.

73ck
Reply to  CK73
5 years ago

I wouldn’t call being 0.3 off a lifetime best on a leadoff for a relay “underperforming.”

Verram
5 years ago

Maybe if USA swan Katie Ledecky instead of dahlia they could have dipped under 3:31s as she’s swim 52s splits before

Crannman
Reply to  Verram
5 years ago

No way Ledecky was going a 52 or even a 53 tonight, hasn’t really swam the 100 meters in a while and she hasn’t had a good 100 since Rio.

Heyitsme
5 years ago

Should’ve used Geer and they would’ve won

Troy
Reply to  Heyitsme
5 years ago

Geer was slower than Dahlia in the prelim.

Heyitsme
Reply to  Troy
5 years ago

Prelim**

Jjran
Reply to  Heyitsme
5 years ago

Kelsi had a below average fly right before the relay and they used her instead of Margo who had an ok prelims swim. Plus Kelsi swims tomorrow final of fly and Margo has nothing. Don’t understand the logic.

Heyitsme
Reply to  Jjran
5 years ago

My point exactly

Stephen
5 years ago

Did the US comm say Manual swam faster than Campbell. Hmmmm Bronte maybe

About Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh is a former NCAA swimmer at the University of Arizona (2013-2015) and the University of Florida (2011-2013). While her college swimming career left a bit to be desired, her Snapchat chin selfies and hot takes on Twitter do not disappoint. She's also a high school graduate of The …

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