Before the start of the women’s 100 freestyle on Saturday at the women’s NCAA Division I championships, the focus was squarely on Simone Manuel. Would she regain her American record in the event, and by doing so, would she go under 46 seconds?
The spotlight stayed on Manuel for pretty much the entire race, though Stanford fans were also looking for Lia Neal to give the Cardinal a 1-2 finish. When the times flashed on the scoreboard, the cheers went up for Manuel, who did break the American record, and for Neal, who gave Stanford that 1-2 finish.
It didn’t happen immediately, but the general attention began to take note of the lady who finished third. After a rocky start to the meet, Florida’s Natalie Hinds found a “3” next to her name, which made history for swimming in Greensboro.
The 1-2-3 finish marked the first time that three swimmers of African descent took those places in one event at a major swimming meet. Previously, the best finish for black swimmers came at the 2011 men’s NCAA championships where 200 free winner Brett Fraser and runner-up Dax Hill made big inroads for minorities in swimming. This spells good things in the future for USA Swimming, which could be adding these three ladies to the Olympic roster next year. Could we see Manuel, Neal and Hinds create three-fourths of a medal-winning 400 free relay in Rio?
The sport has come a long way since Enid Brigitha of the Netherlands became the first black swimmer to win an Olympic medal in 1976. In that time, dozens have made national and international finals, found themselves on U.S. national teams and discovered the joy of making swimming a lifelong sport.
Though much has been made about the 100 free final, we should also point out that three minority swimmers also appeared in the final of the 200 freestyle. Manuel (second), Neal (third) and Chelsea Chenault (sixth) could be on their way to creating three-fourths of Team USA’s relay next year at the Olympic Games as well.
Congratulations to Simone, Lia and Natalie! You’ve earned the Performance of the Week.
Click here to watch the 100 free final. The race begins at 48:40.
Though Missy certainly followed the exhortation of her coach to “go make them remember you ” in the 200 free, your choice for the performance recognition this week is wonderful, worthy and well written.
Congratulations and thanks to the many, such as “sub-50 Kelsi,” who pretty much made this entire meet one of the more memorable NCAA events in years. Thanks.
Theresa Mgadzah Jones
Simone & leah
Simone, Lia and Natalie, congratulations to you all – thanks for proving we can do it!!!
A true sport