KAZAN, Russia -- Stanford’s Simone Manuel finished sixth in the 100-meter freestyle Friday at the 2015 FINA World Championships. Manuel was the top American in the event.
Manuel, racing in her first career World Championships individual final, stayed true to her No. 6 seed from semifinals. She touched the wall at 53.93, just ahead of Team USA teammate Missy Franklin’s 54.00.
Sisters Bronte Campbell and Cate Campbell of Australia took two of the medals - gold and bronze - with Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom joining the siblings on the podium. Bronte (52.52) overtook the favorite Cate (52.82), while Sjostrom finished in 52.69 for silver. It is the first time sisters won medals in the same event in a World Championships race.
Manuel will be back in the pool tomorrow morning for the 50-meter freestyle prelims. The 50 semis are scheduled for tomorrow night and the finals will be Aug. 9.
In Friday’s morning session, future Stanford swimmer Katie Ledecky cruised to the top seed in the 800-meter freestyle in 8:19.42. The 18-year old has already won the 200-, 400- and 1,500-meter freestyles and is looking to become the first swimmer in history to sweep those four freestyle events at the World Championships.
Ledecky has won four golds this year, adding one in the 800-meter relay, to tally nine for her career. She trails Missy Franklin’s record of 11 by two golds.
Ledecky will take aim at her 800 free world record 8:11.21 and her 10th gold tomorrow night.