TYR Pro Series 2024: Kate Douglass Destroys Simone Manuel To Clinch 100 Free

Kate Douglass made her emergence in the Olympic berth 3 years ago, with prowess in the 200m IM swimming. Her shot to grabbing a berth on the swimming team came with a minuscule difference in time. Since then, the swimming world has experienced a versatile swimmer from the University of Virginia camp, earning medals after medals in the NCAA stint. However, the 21-year-old kept her best performances hidden for the ultimate Fukuoka World Championship last year. There, she appeared in the combination of 100 free, 200 breaststroke, and 200 IM. The relay races made other notations. 

However, Kate Douglass lost a medal situation in the 100 free by a whisker of a second. But on the same day, the NCAA champion earned a silver 200 breaststroke. Still, her quest for glory in the 100 free made her clinch another victory at the TYR Pro Series 2024. 

Kate Douglass earns her due glory in 100m free

On day 2 of TYR Pro Series 2024, the 100 LC m free saw some recent developments in the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center. Last time, a jubilant Erika Brown from Tennessee Aquatics took 54.15 to defy Olivia Smoliga’s challenge just by a whisker in Knoxville. A former Olympic champion, Simone Manuel, at that time accompanied her, adjusting to the third position.

However, this time, the event was piqued by the presence of the most decorated swimmer, Katie Ledecky. The 26-year-old decided to participate in the shorter event.

But a lackadaisical prelim hurt her cause. So with that, the onus went on to Gretchen Walsh, Kate Douglass, and Simone Manuel. The result followed the trio. As USA Swimming News added on X, the standing looked “FINAL:  1. Kate Douglass, 53.12  2. Gretchen Walsh, 53.64  3. Simone Manuel, 53.73”

The time looked invariably better compared to the last time Smoliga took. Moreover, Manuel registered one of her fiery runs in recent times. The former Olympic champion looked having her old color back lately, thanking her coach Bob Bowman. But among all those hues, Gretchen Walsh stood apart. 

UVA receives two medalists in the same event 

On the rise of Kate Douglass in the 100m free, UVA should feel emphatic with another glory. This time, it was from Gretchen Walsh. The 20-year-old swimmer was already a plinth of fame in Fukuoka, where she earned her first individual insignia in the senior international show. With Kate Douglass by the side, Walsh came victorious in the relay race as well. However, her 50m fly bronze medal was a highlight, as the same pool held the swimming legend Sarah Sjostrom on the competitor’s list. 

Read more: 5 Big US Swimming Stars to Watch Out for at TYR Pro Series 2024

So last Thursday became another occasion when the duo got over an Olympian again. However, they seem to know their Olympic berth route well. 

Watch this story: Swimming Legend’s Halloween Edition: How Michael Phelps’ Childhood Friend Lightened Up His Family’s Spooky Celebration