Page 51 - Simone Manuel News Today

Athletes are now media companies, capable of reaching a mass audience directly without the assistance of one of the traditional broadcast platforms.

Abbey Weitzeil (pictured) notched a lifetime best 52.92 in prelims to lead the way into finals in a crowded women's 100 free field on Day 1 of U.S. Trials.

The University of Virginia women are not only dominated sprint freestyle in the NCAA, but also in long course as well now.

After struggling at Trials for the last two years, a mindset change helped Walsh push through this year to qualify for Worlds in the 100 free.

After missing the World Championship team last year, Weitzeil has been on fire throughout 2023, and she's carried that momentum into Nationals.

American and U.S. Open record holder Regan Smith gets her meet underway in the 200 fly on Day 1 of the 2023 U.S. National Championships.

"Not competing at Nationals is not a decision I took lightly, but I firmly believe that this sacrifice is an investment for the future," Simone Manuel wrote.

Simone Manuel's season bests would have seeded her 13th and 14th in the 50 free and 100 free, respectively, had she entered those events at U.S. Nationals.

Caeleb Dressel wil be present at trials, but other big names like Simone Manuel are missing from the psych sheets and will not race at Worlds.

After missing a World Championship spot by one one-hundredth last year, Gretchen Walsh is primed for a big showing in the 50 free in 2023.