Simone Manuel Breaks Natalie Coughlin’s American Record

With an incredible last 50 in the women’s 100m freestyle at the 2015 Duel in the Pool, Simone Manuel managed to get her hand on the wall first and better Natalie Coughlin’s 2010 American record.

Manuel clocked in a 51.69 to take the win by a long shot over teammate Lia Neal and Dutch speedster Ranomi Kromowidjojo. Neal finished second in 52.08 with Kromowidjojo picking up the bronze in 52.28 respectively.

Double Olympic gold medallist Kromowidjojo was out first at the 50 wall with a wicked split of 24.83. She was closely followed by Neal in 24.96.  Manuel was third behind the two leaders in 25.00, but didn’t make her move until that last 50.

Turning at the halfway point, Manuel quickly rocketed to the front of the pack with incredible back-half speed. Manuel turned on the jets with a 26.69, out-splitting her Neal, who threw down the second fastest last 50 split, by a whopping 0.42 seconds.

MANUEL’S SPLITS

• 50m – 25.00
• 100m – 26.69

That time for Manuel ties her as the ninth fastest performer ever in the event with Australian Emma McKeon.

That time also puts her in the top five global rankings for the event this season. Her 51.69 pushes McKeon’s 51.76 from fourth to fifth and puts her right behind Kromowidjojo’s 51.39 from the short course European Championships in Netanya, Israel.