The NCAA swimming competitions saw Lia Thomas taking part amidst all the controversy. She won the 500-yard freestyle competition despite all the debates surrounding her and the competition. As many legends competed in the NCAA competitions before, Missy Franklin’s 200-yard freestyle record is still up there with the best.

She won four gold medals and one bronze at the 2012 London Olympics. Soon after, she returned to compete in the NCAA division as she set a record for the 100-yard freestyle event. Thus, where does that performance rank, compared to Lia Thomas’ 200-yard freestyle event?

Lia Thomas vs Missy Franklin: Who wins the battle?

After leading the race from start to finish, Franklin won the event with Simone Manuel, the 100-meter freestyle gold medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, challenging her.

But, Franklin kept pace throughout the race and finished the race at a time of 1:39.10. Second-placed Manuel finished two seconds behind her with a time of 1:41.45. On the contrary, Thomas finished her 200-yard freestyle competition, setting a time of 1:43.40 seconds. A significant gap of 4.3 seconds exists between Franklin and Thomas.

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There are various claims about Thomas’ inclusion in the women’s division, but the gap between the two swimmers shows how Franklin was an incredible swimmer. Significantly, Thomas only won the 500-yard freestyle during the NCAA competition.

Likewise, she finished eighth in the 100-yard freestyle event. As she is far from Franklin’s record, let’s compare her times to the other events she took part in.

Thomas’ record against Ledecky and Manuel

As Franklin is ahead of her, the 100-yard freestyle sees her finishing in the eighth position against other competitors. She posted a time of 48.18 while the record holder of the competition is Simone Manuel. She set a time of 45.56 in 2017.

On the other hand, Katie Ledecky is a brilliant long-distance swimmer. The performances she showcased in the 800-meter freestyle event are just absurd.

So during the NCAA 500-yard freestyle event, Lia Thomas won the race by setting a time of 4:33.24. Ledecky’s record time is 4:24.06 and there is a gap of 9.18 seconds. Hence, Thomas is way off when compared with Ledecky’s times.

As there is a substantial gap between all the times, Thomas’ controversial participation in the NCAA events could not muster up a performance to equal most of the records. Do you think she can move closer?

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