Simone Manuel helped keep Katie Ledecky from going four for four at winter nationals, winning the 100m freestyle to close the meet in Greensboro, N.C., on Saturday night.
Manuel, the Olympic and world champion in the event, won in 53.38 seconds. Ledecky, who specializes in longer distances, was fourth, 1.38 seconds behind in a final that lacked many of the U.S.’ top sprint freestylers.
Margo Geer and Amanda Kendall were second and third.
Manuel ranks third in the world this year with a best time of 52.54, trailing Australian sisters Cate and Bronte Campbell. Cate defeated Manuel at the year’s major international meet in August at the Pan Pacific Championships in Tokyo.
In the men’s 100m free, Michael Chadwick upset 2012 Olympic champion Nathan Adrian by .02, winning in 48.57.
Earlier this week, Ledecky won the 800m free on Wednesday and the 400m free on Thursday, plus the 200m free over Manuel on Friday. Manuel also won the 50m free on Thursday.
WINTER NATS: Full Results | TV Schedule
Olympians Kylie Masse (200m backstroke), Jacob Pebley (200m back) and Jordan Wilimovsky (1500m free) also won Saturday.
The next top-level meet is a Pro Series stop in Knoxville, Tenn., from Jan. 9-12.
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