Three Black swimmers made history at the NCAA Women’s Division 1 Championship Saturday (March 21). Simone Manuel, Lia Neal, and Natalie Hinds took home gold, bronze, and silver medals becoming the first black women to sweep the D1 swimming championship.
Reports NBC News:
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.
“When I looked over to the right I saw my team cheering,” Manuel said of the win. That was all I could take away from it. I don’t have my glasses on so I couldn’t really see the time but when I did I was pretty shocked and excited.”
USA Swimming — a.k.a. the “national governing body of swimming” recognized the congratulated the ladies on Twitter. “Follow History @NCAA Swim Championships 100 free as @simone_manuel @LiaNeal @nathindss became first African-Americans to earn 1-2-3 #sportforall.”
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Photo: screenshot
