Source: Simone Manuel (Photo by Harry How) / Getty
Three black coeds swept the 100 yard freestyle the 2015 Women’s Division I NCAA Championship this weekend—making history, reports NBC blk. The two top spots fell to Stanford teammates, while third place went to a University of Florida student.
History @NCAA Swim Championships 100 free as @simone_manuel @LiaNeal @nathindss became first African-Americans to earn 1-2-3 #sportforall — USA Swimming (@USASwimming) March 22, 2015
Reports NBCBLK:
Freshman phenom Simone Manuel of Stanford set an NCAA, American, U.S. Open, Championship and Pool record when she clocked a time of 46.09 in the women’s 100 yard freestyle.
Manuel’s Stanford teammate Lia Neal came in second place with a time of 47.13. (Fans may recall that Neal won a bronze medal in the 4×100 free relay at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.)
The University of Florida’s Natalie Hinds swam a time of 47.24. Hinds reset her own-school record in the event during competition.
History! pic.twitter.com/x38knJmeOK
— Rowdy Gaines (@RowdyGaines) March 22, 2015
“What we can do now is … use this avenue to inspire others.” – @simone_manuel in #20QT READ: http://t.co/JKigbcCQwP pic.twitter.com/wYFs4VqUrY
— USA Swimming (@USASwimming) March 24, 2015
In an interview today with USA Swimming, Manuel said she “really didn’t think about” the significance of the three black women at the podium togehter.
“I didn’t really think about it…I always thought it would be cool to go 1-2 with Lia, because she’s my teammate and we’re so close, but I hadn’t thought about Natalie or what all three of us could do together. That hadn’t occurred to me until later when everyone was so excited about it.”
Three Black Women Swimmers Make NCAA History was originally published on newsone.com
