2021 NCAA WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- When: Wednesday, March 17 – Saturday, March 20, 2021
- Where: Greensboro Aquatic Center / Greensboro, NC (Eastern Time Zone)
- Prelims 10 AM / Finals 6 PM (Local Time)
- Short course yards (SCY) format
- Defending champion: Stanford (3x) – 2019 results
- Streaming: ESPN3
- Championship Central
- Psych Sheets
- Live Results – Swimming
- Live Results – Diving
- Day 2 Prelims Heat Sheet
It’d been a pretty quiet prelims session on the first morning of the 2021 NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships, with times much slower than in years past. That was, at least, until the very last heat of the morning, when Virginia sophomore Kate Douglass ripped a 21.21 in the 50 free.
Besides being the fastest time of the morning by nearly three-tenths of a second, Douglass’ mark broke a couple of records as well. First, she broke her own ACC record of 21.42, which she set back in 2020. Second, she broke Simone Manuel’s pool record of 21.32, which Manuel set at the 2015 NCAA Championships. Manuel’s swim was the 2nd-fastest in history at that time. Douglass is now tied for 6th on the all-time performers list with Olivia Smoliga.
Douglass is an incredibly versatile swimmer, and while she might’ve been able to challenge the US Open Record in the 200 IM today, UVA opted to have her swim the 50 free, where the Cavaliers are relatively weaker. Based on this morning’s results, that decision looks like it should pay off for UVA, as she has a sizable advantage of NC State’s Kylee Alons (21.50) and Michigan’s Maggie MacNeil (21.58).
Tonight’s 50 free final will be the first of three matches featuring all three swimmers, who will also be swimming the 100 fly tomorrow and the 100 free Saturday. While Douglass and MacNeil have been getting most of the attention, due to the likelihood of both challenging the U.S. Open Record in the 100 fly, Alons could very well be in the mix for all three races too.
Slower than years past? Yes, but not sleepy. It was exciting. We’ve got to put these times into perspective, covid has caused a lot of time away from the pool.
Douglass appeared to be last off the blocks — but what she did underwater into her breakout was Dressel-esque. Beautiful swim! It looked like she had more to give. If she leads off the relay tonight, as she usually does, she’ll have 2 more shots to go :20 tonight.
Call me crazy… NC State wins 200 free relay 21.7, 20.8, 21.5, 21.5
The first 3 splits don’t seem crazy…but who’s your last 21.5?
With no MacCausland, that means it’s probably Sirena Rowe. Her flat-start lifetime best is 22.08 when she was at Marshall. She’s been 22.2 with NC State.
This quartet, with Rowe, swam 1:26.15 at ACCs in 2019 (they actually have the Greensboro Pool Record). I could see them dip under 1:26.0, if they light up under the “lights in finals,” but I don’t know if that’s enough to beat Virginia.
Hansson!
Hansson was already on the relay at ACCs. Or do you think she’s going to swim two legs tonight?
Berkoff 21.7 (previous best 21.8)
Alons 20.8 (match her split from ACC)
Hansson 21.5 (split 21.8 already, I’m hopeful here)
Rowe 21.5 (split 21.4 in 2019)
I think you are too generous on Alons split (20.8) and the leadoff split. I don’t think anyone else from their team can hit 21.7 leadoff besides Alons. Also don’t think Hansson has a 21.5 split either.
Berkoff was 21.84 leadoff at ACC’s. Hansson was 21.83
21.84 is not 21.7 and 21.83 is not 21.5. That is an extra 0.4 seconds.
Alons DID go 20.8 at ACC 200 MR. check your stuff bruh
Ok? That doesn’t mean you aren’t being too generous….
Last off the block by the reaction clock? Because that doesnt really mean much in terms of a start.
It just times how long after the buzzer their foot stays on the block and with some swimmers, they are able to fully extend through glute, thigh, calves, toes meaning they stay in contact with the block for longer but have a better force off the block.
Don’t tell us, tell Rowdy!
I too was reminded of Dressel when she popped up from her underwaters. So impressive!
Douglas 20.8 tonight?
No.
“Sleepy”?
The announcer was PC a couple times when a heat wasn’t out very fast! Yes, with few exceptions, it was not a very fast session (same last night). If you disagree, go back to 2019 results and compare.
Smogs reference!!!
Incredible under-waters! Fact: you always go faster under then on top! It’s about the catch and feel! Hey Now!