THE BEST IN THE WORLD
Rising sophomore Maggie MacNeil rose past all comers, including the
reigning Olympic champion, at the FINA World Championships July 22
in the 100-meter butterfly to win a gold medal at the Nambu University
Municipal Aquatics Center in Gwangju, South Korea.
The Canadian stood fifth at the halfway point, but chased down the
field to finish in 55.83 seconds, setting new Commonwealth, Americas
and Canadian records. The 19-year-old from Ontario became the second-
fastest performer in world history and just the third woman ever to break
56 seconds in the race.
MacNeil, a seven-time All-American in her debut with the Wolverines
and the 2019 Big Ten Freshman of the Year after winning four conference
championships, also contributed to Canada's bronze medals in the 4x100-
meter freestyle relay and 4x100-meter medley relay at the competition.
Her 100-meter butterfly split in the latter race was actually even faster
than her winning time in the individual race (55.56), and she also helped
Canada qualify for next summer's Olympics in the 4x100-meter mixed
medley relay.
PHOTO BY JOSEPH KLEINDL/COURTESY SWIMMING CANADA
