Swim Poll: Who Will Win the Women’s 50 Freestyle at NCAAs?

Kate Douglass (21.00), Gretchen Walsh (21.04), and Maggie Mac Neil (21.32) make up the top three fastest times in the 50 freestyle in the country. They will go into NCAA’s with the same seeding.

Douglass and Walsh, both UVA teammates, are coming off of an incredible showing at ACC championships. In defending their title, the duo helped the 400 medley relay team to a new American, NCAA, and U.S. Open record (3:22.34).

In addition to Douglass’ medley performance, where she anchored with a time of 46.25, she and Walsh tied the ACC 50 freestyle record. The Cavaliers touched the wall in 21.25, breaking Douglass’ ACC record from the previous year.

Walsh has the top-NCAA seed going into the 100 freestyle competition later next week.

Pivoting from the ACC, Mac Neil has made waves her senior year in the Big 10. Mac Neil was named Swimmer of the Meet for the third time in her collegiate career. Mac Neil has also seen success on the international stage starting with the Olympics this past summer and at World Championships in December where she set a world record. While these accolades have been in events other than freestyle, the Douglass-Walsh-Mac Neil showdown will be one to watch next week.