Cierra Runge: I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry (Video)

_{Reported by Mitch Bowmile.}

WOMEN’S 200M FREESTYLE FINAL

Top seed: Katie Ledecky (1:55.10)
World record: 1:52.98 – Frederica Pellegrini (Italy)
American record: 1:53.61 – Allison Schmitt
U.S Open record: 1:54.40 – Allison Schmitt
U.S Nationals record: 1:54.40 – Allison Schmitt
JR World record: 1:56.12 – Shen Duo (China)
2012 Winning Time: 1:54.40 – Allison Schmitt

After a tough week Missy Franklin has no secured an individual event for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games by finishing second behind Katie Ledecky in the 200m freestyle.

As per her strategy, Simone Manuel was out like a rocket, taking charge of the race through the first one-hundred meters in order to flip at the halfway point under world record pace. Ledecky turned second, Allison Schmitt turned third, Missy Franklin turned fourth.

Heading towards the third wall, Ledecky surged to a lead as both Franklin and Manuel flipped at the same time in second.

After the turn Ledecky was out in front, but Franklin came on strong to pass a charging Schmitt. Ledecky touched first in 1:54.88, Franklin was second in 1:56.18.

Leah Smith made a move and passed Schmitt to clock in for third in 1:56.63. Schmitt grabbed the final relay position with a 1:56.72.

Although Smith and Ledecky already made the team earlier this week, this final marks a sigh of relief for both Franklin and Schmitt who are now both officially on the team.

1. Katie Ledecky (1:54.88)
2. Missy Franklin (1:56.18)
3. Leah Smith (1:56.63)
4. Allison Schmitt (1:56.72)
5. Cierra Runge (1:57.16)
6. Melanie Margalis (1:57.65
7. Simone Manuel (1:57.84)
8. Katie McLaughlin (1:57.84)

For official results click here.