GREENSBORO, N.C. — Missy Franklin of California lowered her American record in winning the 200-yard freestyle for the second straight year at the NCAA women’s swimming and diving championships on Friday.
The four-time Olympic gold medalist became the first woman in history to break the 1:40 barrier in the event, touching first in 1 minute, 39.10 seconds at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. She was a full second faster at the 100 mark than a year ago.
Last year, Franklin won in 1:40.31, which was an American record. The sophomore plans to turn pro after the three-day meet ends Saturday. She is aiming toward swimming in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Simone Manuel of Stanford was second in 1:41.45, and her teammate Lia Neal took third in 1:42.65.
Franklin’s Cal teammates won the 200 medley relay in 1:35.15, with Olympic gold medalist Rachel Bootsma leading off in backstroke for the Golden Bears. They led until Louisville’s Kelsi Worrell moved the Cardinals into first on the butterfly. Cal’s Farida Osman got the lead back on the closing freestyle leg.
Louisville finished second in 1:35.75 and Tennessee was third at 1:36.29.
Worrell broke her American record in winning the 100 butterfly in 49.81 seconds, giving Louisville its first woman NCAA swimming champion. Sam Corea of Denver took second in 50.86.
Bootsma won the 100 backstroke in 50.03, third-fastest in history; Sarah Henry of Texas A&M won the 400 individual medley in 4:02.47; and Stanford’s Sarah Haase took the 100 breaststroke in 58.32.
