Simone Manuel Claims Second Title at Austin Sectionals; Regan Smith Goes Sub-58 in 100 Backstroke
The second night of the Austin Sectionals brought a second win in as many days for Simone Manuel, who finished first in the 200-meter freestyle on Thursday night. Coming off a title in the 100 freestyle (53.15), Manuel edged Erin Gemmell for victory over four laps, going 1:56.70. Gemmell was just behind in 1:56.77, and both times bode well for what Manuel and Gemmell might do at next month’s Pan Pacific Championships.
Manuel wasn’t the only Texas pro to pick up a second win, as she was joined by Chris Guiliano. Following up his win in the 100 freestyle (48.40), Guiliano went 1:47.21 to beat out Luke Hobson (1:48.99). Meanwhile, Regan Smith cooked up a stellar performance in the 100 backstroke, breaking the 58-second barrier with a swim of 57.78 (27.93-29.85). That win came on the back of a victory in the 200 butterfly (2:06.18) from Wednesday.
Another strong effort was produced by Carson Foster, who recorded a mark of 4:11.37 to prevail in the 400 individual medley. That win followed his 1:55.33 triumph in the 200 butterfly. Shaine Casas grabbed his second backstroke win when he topped the field in the 100 distance. Casas checked in with a time of 54.09, which followed his 50 backstroke win (24.67) a day earlier.
Campbell McKean (27.54) was quickest in the men’s 50 breaststroke, with second place taken by Luka Mladenovic (27.72). In other notable first-day action, Rex Maurer (7:53.90) and Jillian Cox (8:24.90) won the 800 freestyles. Maurer was second in the 400 IM in 4:14.47.
