BERKELEY – Cal senior and American-record-holder Abbey Weitzeil has been named a semifinalist for the 90th annual AAU Sullivan Award, which is presented to the top amateur athlete in the country.
 
Fans have the opportunity to show their support by voting once per day through Friday through the Sullivan Award website.
 
Over the past year, Weitzeil has proven herself to be the preeminent amateur sprint freestyler in the country, having broken the American record in the 50-yard free twice, winning four national titles at the 2019 NCAA Championships and earning 2019 Pac-12 Swimmer of the Year honors.
 
At the 2019 Pac-12 meet last February, not only did she win all three of her individual races - 50 free, 100 free, 200 free - but she also helped her Cal team to four relays to titles. As a result, she was named the Pac-12 Swimmer of the Meet and later the Pac-12 Swimmer of the Year.
 
At the NCAA Championships in March 2019, she earned a national title in the 50 free when she was timed in 21.02 to lower the American record in the event. She also anchored three relays to national championships - 200 free relay, 400 free relay and 400 medley relay - while helping the 200 medley relay to a runner-up finish.
 
Perhaps her most notable achievement at the meet came on the final day. Having hyper-extended an elbow at the finish of the 200 medley relay the night before, Weitzeil persevered through pain and a sleepless night to place fourth in the 200 free and anchor Cal's 400 free relay to a national title and an NCAA record time.
 
Over the summer, Weitzeil won the 100-meter free at the Phillips 66 National Championships. And this past December, she reset the 50-yard free American record, becoming the first woman ever under 21 seconds when she hit the wall in 20.90 at the Minnesota Invitational.
 
For more information on the Sullivan Award, visit aausullivan.org.