US Olympic Trials-Day 2 Prelim Recap
2008-06-30
Nikki Dryden
Two world records in the women's 100 back and four meet records this morning
US Olympic Trials-Day Two Prelim Recap

Two world records and two meet records in the 100 back and 400 free for women

Women's 100 Back

After scratching the 100 fly, Natalie Coughlin (CAL) was ready to race. Swimming in the final heat of the morning, Coughlin had the best vantage point to watch as Haley McGregory (LAST) took down her world record with a blistering 59.15. Out in 28.67, McGregory was a body length ahead of the field as she flipped and her high turnover didn't slow as she touched a new world record.

Coughlin didn't even flinch, taking out her heat in 28.68, she was almost two body lengths ahead of the field when she broke the record back with a 59.03. Coughlin, with her slightly slower turnover used her amazing kick to get to the wall.

Margaret Hoelzer (KING), a 200 back specialist, sits in third spot with a 1:00.86 while 400IM runner up and 2008 Olympic team member Elizabeth Beisel (ABF) sits in 5th spot with a 1:01.08. It took a 1:02.31 to qualify for semis, in 2004, Hoelzer was 8th in the final with a 1:03.13! It will probably take a 1:01.5 to make this year's final.

Men's 200 Free

With a 1:48.72 needed to make top 16, the Americans could put together 4 men's 4x200 free relays fast enough to make the Olympic Final!

Leading the way are last night's 400IM stars, Michael Phelps (CW) and Ryan Lochte (DBS) who topped the final heat in 1:46.63 and 1:46.83. Both men were easy through the 150, then powered off the final wall with great turns and underwater kicks to break out from the field.

Other men to watch are Peter Vanderkaay (CW) and Larsen Jensen (TROJ). Jensen broke the American record last night in the 400 free, which booked his ticket to Beijing. Vanderkaay was second in that event and also under the old American record (which he set in Santa Clara this May).

While it is not for certain, history has shown that the top 6 men in this event will qualify for the US Olympic Team. The Team will be selected with a maximum of 26 men and 26 women using the following 4 priorities: winners of each event plus the top 4 in the 100 and 200 free, second place finishers in each of the Olympic events (other than the 100 and 200 free), 5th place finishers in the 100 and 200 free, and 6th place finishers in the 100 and 200 free.

Women's 100 Breast

Another huge top 16-it took a 1:09.75 for a second swim. In the lead is Jessica Hardy (TROJ) with her 1:06.85 win in the final heat, which was a new meet record. Her teammate, Rebecca Soni (TROJ) sits in second spot with a 1:06.90. Megan Jendrick (nee Quann) (KING) swam with Hardy and finished just behind her in 1:07.06.

Tara Kirk (STAN) is the silver medalist from last year's World's so don't count her out. She sits in fourth spot with a solid 1:07.86. Olympic gold medalist Amanda Beard is swimming unattached after she left the training pool of Hardy and Soni. Her time of 1:09.29 has her in 11th spot, but she will have to drop some serious time to make the final.

Men's 100 Back

Randall Bal, who trains in Italy, sent notice this morning that he is over his jetlag. His 53.28 was a best time, meet record, and qualifies him in first spot in the semis. He set the pace, but none followed.

Aaron Peirsol (LAST) with a bad start, was out-touched by David Plummer (MINN) 54.00 to 54.14. Ryan Lochte (DBS) coming off his 200 free heat was also out-touched in his race by Matt Grevers (FORD) 53.69 to 53.96.

It took a 55.45 to make tonight's semi-final.

Women's 400 Free

Caroline Burckle (LAKE) won gold in the 800 free last summer at Pan Ams, and was a double winner for the University of Florida at this year's NCAA champs, which gave her the swimmer of the meet award as well as the Honda Sports Award for the nation's top collegiate swimmer. Her race this morning lived up to the hype. Her 4:06.74 was almost a 5 second drop.

Elizabeth Beisel (ABF) scratched this event, leaving Kate Zielger (FISH) to swim alone in the second seeded heat. Her 4:06.04 broke Janet Evans' meet record and sets her up well for tonight.

Of course it was Katie Hoff (NBAC) who seemed to wait until the final 25 to turn it on. Qualifying in lane 4 for tonight's final with a 4:05.61, another new meet record, just over Allison Schmitt (CW) in 4:05.72