Produced by Coleman Hodges.
Reported by Anne Lepesant.
It was a tight race across the middle lanes of the pool in the women’s 100 free. Abbey Weitzeil of Canyons Aquatic Club took it out first, turning first at 25.8. Just behind her were Simone Manuel and Lia Neal of Stanford Swimming. Missy Franklin was a second behind the leaders at the turn.
Weitzeil looked like she was going to blow the field away, but both Manuel and Neal gained on her over the final 25 meters. Manuel got her hand to the wall first with 53.98; Neal was second in 54.01, just ahead of Weitzeil’s 54.11. Franklin was fourth in 54.69.
Allison Schmitt of North Baltimore dominated the B final, winning in 54.71 thanks to a superb second half.
Congratulations Simone on a solid weekend of racing!