Produced by Coleman Hodges.
Reported by Jared Anderson.
A loaded women’s 100 free didn’t really provide the tight showdown it was billed as, but that was mostly because of how fantastic the winning time was. Current world leader Femke Heemskerk of the Netherlands was all but untouchable, blasting to a 53.64 that beat everyone by more than half a second.
Young American Simone Manuel was second back at 54.29, which is still a pretty solid swim for her. It’s just hundredths off her season-best and she still ranks as the second-best American of the year behind Natalie Coughlin.
North Baltimore’s Allison Schmitt showed off her speed, going 54.85 for third, and beating Arizona Wildcat Margo Geer‘s 54.92.
On the other side of 55 were a pair of former Pac-12 Olympians, Stanford’s Lia Neal (55.15) and Cal’s Missy Franklin (55.49). SwimMAC’s Madison Kennedy (55.59) joined them in the 55-second range.
Brazil’s Daynara de Paula was 56.24, just ahead of one more American Olympian, Trojan’s Jessica Hardy (56.38).
The B final went to California Bear and Egyptian national Farida Osman in 55.66.
