Simone Manuel Breaks U.S. Open Record in 100 Free

2018 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

In two disciplines so far, the American women have set two U.S. Open Records on Wednesday. After Hali Flickinger’s record in the 200 fly in prelims (which she didn’t surpass in finals), the defending World and Olympic champion Simone Manuel swam the fastest-ever 100 free on American soil in Wednesday’s finals session.

Manuel won the 100 free on Wednesday in 52.54, which broke the old U.S. Open Record set at last year’s Nationals by Mallory Comerford in 52.81. At the time, that swim by Comerford was the American Record as well, which both she and Manuel improved upon at Worlds, before Manuel settled on 52.27 to win gold in Budapest.

Comerford placed 2nd on Wednesday in 53.09.

Manuel led the race effectively wire-to-wire, opening in 25.62 and closing in 26.92. For comparison’s sake, Comerford was actually out a smidge faster, in 25.54, when she set the record last year.

Manuel turned pro at the end of the 2017-2018 college season, leaving one year of NCAA eligibility at Stanford on the table. On Tuesday, she announced that she had signed with TYR to be her suit sponsor.

Fastest 100 LCM Freestyles on U.S. Soil:

  1. Simone Manuel, 2018 US Nationals, 52.54
  2. Mallory Comerford, 2017 US Nationals, 52.81
  3. Simone Manuel, 2017 US Nationals, 53.05
  4. Mallory Comerford, 2018 US Nationals, 53.09
  5. Sarah Sjostrom, 2016 PSS – Austin, 53.12
  6. Mallory Comerford, 2017 US Nationals, 53.26 (p)

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Verram
5 years ago

Not too long ago 52s was quite an exclusive club .. these days 52 second swims are becoming a bit more “regular” to the point that people are no longer as wowed by them anymore.. I do think we should see the 51s as the next big barrier by Tokyo 2020

hb dad
Reply to  Verram
5 years ago

As the ladies get bigger/stronger thanks to fully optimized S&C for swimming, I do believe 51s will be where we’re at in Tokyo.

hswimmer
5 years ago

Simone will get top 4 in the 200.

Yozhik
Reply to  hswimmer
5 years ago

Practically everyone who swam today in fly, sprint and 800 are going to compete tomorrow in 200 free. The competition to get into final is so intense that prelim races may happen to be faster than final itself.

ALEXANDER POP-OFF
5 years ago

Simone back-halfing the 100 free with a sub-27 2nd 50 is SO VERY NASTY! I could be wrong but I think it’s the first time she has hit a 26 coming home and I can only think of two other times it happened (in textile)– Sjostrom did it when she sit that crazy world record and Bronte Campbell did it this year when she ran down her sister at the Commonwealth Games. Any other times?

swimlover
Reply to  ALEXANDER POP-OFF
5 years ago

penny Oleksiak came home in a 27.00, while winning the 100 free gold in 52.70 at Rio

swimlover
Reply to  swimlover
5 years ago

Bronte finished with a 26.80!! Simone was a 26.92 tonight

swimlover
Reply to  swimlover
5 years ago

Britta Steffan was a 26.61 to finish in 52.07

swimlover
Reply to  swimlover
5 years ago

Steffan’s – the fastest ever, Sjostrom was a 26.88 in her world record swim

SchoolingFTW
Reply to  swimlover
5 years ago

Britta Steffen was wearing Adidas rubbersuit.

Hswimmer
5 years ago

51 mid at Pan pacs for Simone

GLEE
Reply to  Hswimmer
5 years ago

Anything is possible…
Who knows , she might break the existing WR and come 2nd ?

Jem
5 years ago

Sounds unlikely that Lia Neal will make the team

Verram
5 years ago

Hot time by the US girls over all.. hot relay team 4×100 free at pan pacs .. Manuel will bust an epic time there I’m sure.. her finishing speed is lightning fast

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Verram
5 years ago

she is always so dangerous on the last 30 meters of her races ………thats where she still accelerates .

AvidSwimFan
5 years ago

Actually, at that time, Manuel’s swim at the Rio Olympics of 52.70 was the AR. Comerford’s 52.81 was only the US open record. The AR of 52.70 was then broken by Comerford leading the 4×100 relay in Budapest before Manuel re-broke it en route to gold in the individual 100.

Verram
Reply to  AvidSwimFan
5 years ago

I doubt Manuel is also fully tapered yet at this meet.. I’m expectibg some more drop in times at pan pacs

iLikePsych
Reply to  Verram
5 years ago

Simone said something similar to ‘she isn’t satisfied with the time’ in her post-race interview. While quite a shocking statement based on how fast she was, I think it speaks to where her expectations are.

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Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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