It’s finally the Olympic year, and we’re seeing the stars beginning to align for certain athletes. In the 50 meter freestyle at the Knoxville Pro Swim, University of Tennessee standout Erika Brown edged defending world champ Simone Manuel.
Knox Pro Swim – 50m Free
- GOLD: Erika Brown (TENN)- 24.57
- SILVER: Simone Manuel (ALTO)- 24.63
- BRONZE: Margo Geer (NVM)- 25.08
Making the U.S. Olympic Team is all about timing, and Erika Brown is peaking in the right year. Another crucial step toward making Team USA is having an Olympic Trials under your belt. You need to experience the pressure-cooker once to get over the hype and distractions. Erika competed back in 2016, and another Tennessee sprint star, a high school junior, Gretchen Walsh, was the youngest swimmer to compete at the 2016 Olympic Trials. In the video above we caught up with Erika, Gretchen, and Simone at the Knoxville Pro Swim for their take on where they are at in training on the march to Omaha.
Way Too Early U.S. Olympic Trials Prediction – Women’s 50m Free
No one is beating Simone Manuel. She reigns as National Champ with 23.89 in Omaha.
Erika Brown slips in for second at 24 flat, marking her Olympic berth. (I’m an University of Tennessee alum, but I’m not biased. Go VOLS!)
Youngster Gretchen Walsh is on the bubble for me. She impresses us with 24.31.
Still, the 50m free is always a big question. Abbey Weitzeil just dropped 20.9 in the 50 yard free – flat start. She’s dangerous. She was a 24.2 50m free at ’16 Olympic Trials. And there’s Margo Geer, Lia Neal and Madison Kennedy, but… who cares what I think! What do you think?
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This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com, a Swimming News website.
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I think Weitzeil gets this. She was 24.58 at Worlds after her injury at NCAAs. I think she’s 24.0/1 and that’s enough.
Hard to argue with this. She should be 24.2 or faster. I think we’ll get a better sense of where Brown is at NCAA Champs.
Imma say Weitzeil at 23.99, Brown @ 24.05, Manuel for the win in whatever she feels like doing
Ooooo, yes, could see this as well, and it’d be great performances for all three women.
If Weitzeil and Brown swim those times I think Manuel will miss out or it’ll be extremely close.
Simone 24.2
Weitzeil 24.3
Brown 24.4
Walsh 24.4
There’s no need to go 24.0 in Omaha. 24.2 will make the team.
Well. If two ladies go 23.9 I’m guess 24.2 ain’t gonna get you anything but a ticket to the couch.
I don’t feel like Madison Kennedy has much of a shot in this event, but oh would I love to be wrong. She’s one of my favorite swimmers, and I hope she can have a little breakthrough and make the team.
….I’m including Madison in these for the next 8 years—bc I’d love see her on the team too.
This comment put a genuine smile on my face. That team would really flourish with a personality like hers
I am pulling hard for Madison as well. She has such a healthy perspective on the sport and life and loves what she does. She’s also just fun to be around!
Regan Smith. She’s going to win everything.
Ha! I don’t even know what her 50 free PB is. Looking it up now….
she should swim all the relays for sure