2019 WOMEN’S DIVISION I NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Wednesday, March 20th – Saturday, March 23rd
- Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center — Austin, Texas
- Prelims 9 a.m./Finals 5 p.m. (Central Time)
- Championship Central
- Psych Sheet
- Live Results
- Full livestream schedule
Last night as she went 20.45 to anchor Cal’s medley relay and tie the fastest 50 free split in history, junior Abbey Weitzeil appeared to injure her right arm on the finish. She didn’t join her team on the podium immediately following the race.
The team did not give any sort of official update on her status, but said it was an “awkward” finish, and that Weitzeil was going to see how she felt warming up this morning. She was spotted after warmup suited up, but with a wrap extending from her mid forearm to bicep.
Abbey Weitzeil (photo: Jack Spitser)
With Cal leading by a small point margin heading into the final day of competition, losing Weitzeil would obviously be a huge blow. She’s entered as the top seed in the 100 freestyle this morning and would also be on the 400 free relay.
Weitzeil, a 2016 Olympian, reset the NCAA, American, and US Open records in the 50 freestyle Thursday night in 21.02 after three years of holding the American record at 21.12, but never besting it in NCAA competition. She also took fourth in the 200 free Friday night, going 1:42.29.
UPDATE: Weitzeil swam the 100 free in prelims, going 47.28, with her arm wrapped. She had to swim out of her lane to the side of the pool without a raised gutter to get out with assistance. She is the No. 4 qualifier for finals, and Cal should not need to use her on the relay this morning.
She is a Warrior! At the meet this morning…she touched with the other hand at the finish and clearly was in a lot of pain after the race. She swam to the side of the pool and was helped out. you could tell as she swam across lanes to the side she was trying not to use that arm at all and trying not to use it getting out of the pool. This is one tough lady!
She is a warrior and proven mentally tough SHE-Bear. Her year has been remarkable and inspirational. We ALL wish her perfect health and a fabulous finish to this season. You have earned the respect of all swimmers and coaches!!
There’s no long side of the pool since it’s a square 25y by 25y
ok, she swam out of her lane and to the side of the pool. I think it was clear what happened.
So what’s up with Darcel?Anybody?
We’ve been told she scratched for a personal matter.
And Sophie K-Z from Cal was in the meet – she was the first alternate. Interesting twist…
I’m guessing if Cal had the choice, they would have preferred the points from Darcel.
Ok and? SKZ was an alternate last year and an alternate this year before teammate Darcel scratched. Good for SKZ to get the experience and use it as motivation.
Best wishes to Abbey. Arm injuries suck, especially in the last 25 of a race when you’re trying to get your timing right so you can finish with your good arm and don’t have to take a weird half-stroke at the end
Can’t believe she went 47.2 prelims with an injury! Go abbey! She is getting points even with a messed up dive and stroke! Champion
I mean I want to see cal win but my concern is the athletes first. Hope she’s ok
Go Abbey go!!!!!
Hopefully she’s ok. It would be an awful way for Cal to lose the meet, and I’m sure Stanford doesn’t want to win like that.
My guess is that the Stanford fans want Abbey to swim well as winning a close meet is more fun than a blowout.