Heather E. Schwartz - Simone Manuel: Swimming Star

When she was 11, Simone noticed something. Other swimmers didnt look like her. There were no other African Americans at her swim meets. She started to understand that she represented her race in the sport. Others would view Simones success as a swimmer as a victory for all African Americans.

Simone continued to show her talent. At the FINA World Junior Championships in 2011, Simone competed internationally for the first time. She placed fourth in the 100-meter freestyle. The next year she won the 100-meter race at the Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. In 2013 she set a record for her age group in the 50-meter freestyle at the World Championships.

The day after her 17th birthday, Simone competed in the World Championships. In a preliminary race, she swam the 50-meter freestyle in 24.93 seconds. It was the fastest time ever for her age group. It was also the second-fastest time for any American swimmer in history.

Simone in 2013

Simone started college at Stanford University in 2014. As a freshman on the swim team, she won the 50- and 100-yard freestyle individual events at the NCAA Championships. She also won the 400 medley and 400 freestyle relays.

Simone had a packed schedule. She was busy with swimming and her schoolwork. The Olympic trials were at the end of June 2016. If Simone wanted to make the team, the trials would have to be her only focus.

Simone had to make some changes. During her sophomore year, she redshirted from the swim team. She also took time off from her studies.

FACT

Redshirting meant Simone could train with the Stanford team and coach. She just couldnt compete in meets with them. College athletes who redshirt often stay in school an extra year while making up the year of play they missed.

With all her attention on the trials, Simone continued training with her Stanford swim coach. She worked to improve her speed on long course lengths. She competed in non-college meets too. The meets let her see where she stood in her events. Early in June she wasnt too happy with her times. But she knew race strategy mattered more. She was confident her training and practice would pay off.

Simone dives into the pool at a meet in 2015.

STUDIOUS SWIMMER

As a student, Simone cared as much about her studies as she did about swimming. She kept up a 4.0 grade point average in high school. She chose Stanford because she wanted to be challenged in the classroom as well as in the pool.

Trying for the Team

At the trials Simone competed in two events. Only the swimmers who came in first and second in each event would make the 2016 Olympic team.

Swimmers begin the 100-meter freestyle at the 2016 Olympic trials.

Simone swam the 50-meter freestyle first. Swimmer Abbey Weitziel quickly took the lead. Simone followed close behind. Another swimmer, Madison Kennedy, fought for second. Simone swam fast and stayed strong. By just 0.15 of a second, Simone took second place.

Simone swam in the 100-meter freestyle next. Abbey took the lead again. Swimmer Amanda Weir challenged Simone for second. Again, Simone showed her strength and speed. She touched the wall 0.23 of a second ahead of Amanda. Simone again came in second place. She had made the team! She would be swimming in the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.