The Tribune

Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace, the most decorated swimming athlete in Bahamian history, just missed out in qualifying for her final at the 15th FINA World Championships in Barcelona, Spain.

Competing in the semifinal of the women’s 100 metres freestyle on Thursday, Vanderpool-Wallace clocked 54.44 seconds for sixth place in heat two. She finished 10th overall. The eighth and final spot went to Yi Tang of China, who was fourth in heat one.

Vanderpool-Wallace’s heat turned out to be the fastest as she competed against the top four qualifiers. Winning the heat in the fastest time was Sarah Sjostrom from Sweden in 52.87. Cate Campbell of Australia was second in 523.09, while Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands was third in 53.29. Her team-mate Femke Heemskerk was fourth in 53.68.

In the heats on Wednesday, Vanderpool-Wallace coasted to a time of 54.42 seconds, placing third in her heat and 9th overall to qualify for the semifinals.

Vanderpool-Wallace swam 53.70 seconds in the semifinals of the event at the London Olympics and she also narrowly missed the finals of this event.

With her Auburn coach, Brett Hawke, who is at the games coaching a Brazilian swimmer at Auburn University, providing personal assistance to Vanderpool-Wallace along with the Bahamas’ head coach, Shawn Neely, Vanderpool-Wallace is now gearing up for her best event, the 50 metres freestyle.

Last year at the Olympic Games in London, England, Vanderpool-Wallace made history when she became the first Bahamian to get into a final at the four-yearly games. She is hoping to again get into the final when she starts the process in the heats on Saturday.

Vanderpool-Wallace, who has a seeded time of 24.64, will be competing out of lane five in heat seven. There are nine heats being contested.