Back To Back For Abbey Weitzeil

OMAHA, Neb. – Cal alum Abbey Weitzeil is returning to the Olympics after winning the 100-meter freestyle at the U.S. Olympic Trials Friday night, giving her back-to-back wins in the event.
 
Weitzeil, who swam for the Golden Bears from 2017-20, shot out to a lead off the blocks, then got to the wall in 53.53 seconds to edge runner-up Erika Brown by 0.06 seconds. The time was just off her winning time from 2016 when she captured the 100 free in a Trials-record 53.28.
 
At the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Weitzeil earned a pair of relay medals – a silver in the 400 free relay and gold on the 400 medley relay. Individually, she placed seventh in the 100 free and 12th in the 50 free.
 
Weitzeil becomes the second Cal women's swimmer to secure an Olympic berth at the meet. Earlier in the week, alum Katie McLaughlin gained her spot on the 4x200 free relay.
 
In addition to Weitzeil, two other Golden Bear swimmers were in the pool Friday for semifinals of the 200 backstroke, and both reached Saturday's final. Alum Kathleen Baker posted the fourth-fastest qualifying time in 2:08.58, while rising sophomore Isabelle Stadden will be the seventh seed after finishing in 2:09.20.
 
The Trials continue Saturday morning with the prelims of the 50 free with six Cal swimmers scheduled to swim, including Weitzeil, who is the reigning champion. Others listed on the psych sheet are alums Amy Bilquist, Madison Kennedy and Katie McLaughlin, current Bear Isabel Ivey and incoming freshman McKenna Stone. Prelims begin at 8 a.m. PT, with finals at 6 p.m. All events are streamed on NBCOlympics.com.