US Olympic Trials-Day 2 Finals Recap
2008-06-30
Nikki Dryden
Hoff wins number 2, while Hansen and Magnuson secure their tickets to Beijing
US Olympic Trials-Day 2 Finals Recap

Apart from the women's 400 free, the semi-finals proved faster than the finals tonight, with the 100 fly and 100 breast winners coming in slower than their earlier swims. But all you need is a spot on the team, and 2 women rookies will represent the US in the 100 fly, while the 100 breast is the same as 2004.

Women's 100 Fly Final

Two rookies head to Beijing in this event, Christine Magnuson (UT) was off her best from heats and semis, but all she needed was the win and she got it. Touching first in 58.11 over a powerful finishing Elaine Breeden (STAN) in 58.21, the two collegiate swimmers beat veteran Olympian Rachel Komisarz (LAKE) who faded to third with 58.36. If Magnuson looked relieved, Breeden was absolutely shocked and took at least a minute to fully realize that she had made the team.

"It hurt the last 25," said Magnuson with a smile, "but you just have to dig in and go for. I just tried to keep my stroke long and suck it up. I think I will sleep well tonight, I am just really thrilled and excited. It gave me confidence [to be seeded first]. I knew tonight would be tough no matter what time I came in with. I know I can be better and get faster every time I swim."

Men's 100 Breast Final

Brendan Hansen (LAST) was slower, but Mark Gangloff (MAC) was faster. That was the only difference between tonight and 2004 when these two men also went 1-2 to qualify for the US Olympic Team. Gangloff's 1:00.42, was just faster than his 1:01.24 from '04.

For Hansen, switching to the new Speedo LZR despite a Nike contract, wasn't enough. He was out just at world record pace in 28.02, but he slipped off touching in a sluggish 59.94. He won in '04 in 59.30 a world record, only to lose the gold to Kosuke Kitajima in Athens. "I just wanted to make the team, to get my hand on the wall and secure my spot on the team," said Hansen. "Last time, I put too much effort into the Trials and not as much at the Games, this time I am taking it one race at a time and hopefully I will peak this year at the Games and not the Trials."

Women's 400 Free Final

Two relative newcomers took the lead and set the pace. Allison Schmitt (CW) and Caroline Burckle (LAKE) took it out, leading the pace until the 200. At the 250 they were joined by Kate Ziegler and Katie Hoff. By the 275, the race was all Hoff. She flipped a body length ahead by the 300 and finished on top with a 4:02.32-just off her American record. "I think I was tired this morning, "said Hoff after. "I would have liked to go a best time, but I'm going to the Olympics so hopefully I will be faster then. My plan was to hold on to the 200 then come on strong at the end." Hoff still has the 800 free and a few 200s, but she says that hopefully she can get some more "speed" as the Trials continue.

Only 1 woman from the 2004 final, Kate Ziegler, was back tonight and this time she was getting on the team. In '04 she was 5th in this event, but this year she swam her best time to pick up second spot in 4:03.92. "I couldn't see the other girls until the last 50. Going into the race today, I was able to say whatever happens, happens," said Ziegler, "as long as I when I came out of the pool I knew I did my best." Schmitt and Burckle also swam personal bests to finish in 3rd and 4th with 4:05.05 and 4:05.09.

Women's 100 Back Semi-Finals

In 2004 Natalie Coughlin (CAL) won the final in 59.85. Back then she was head and shoulders above the crowd, including 3rd place finisher Haley McGregory. Heading into this year's final, it is McGregory in lane 4 with her semi-final win of 59.48-just off her morning swim, which broke Coughlin's world record.

Coughlin had to battle to win her semi-final, with Margaret Hoelzer (KING) swimming her fastest 100 ever 59.74 to 59.79. 400IMer Elizabeth Beisel (ABF) keeps on lowering her time too. She heads into the final in 5th spot with her 1:00.87. It took a 1:01.40 to make the final this year-it only took at 1:01.24 to make the team in '04!

Men's 200 Free Semi-Finals

In the slower of the 2 semis, Ryan Lochte (DBS) had to make his win decisive, despite having the 100 back semi later tonight. He did just that, winning in 1:45.61-a second faster than he was this morning. It was his best time and the fastest in the world this year. It could possibly earn him a medal in Beijing, but he may not even swim it tomorrow night.

In the tighter semi, it was Michael Phelps (CW) who took first, just below Lochte's time, in 1:45.64. Phelps was third at the 150, but once again his wall was so much stronger than the field and he came up half a body length ahead of second place finisher and training partner, Peter Vanderkaay (CW) who touched in 1:46.08.

Women's 100 Breast Semi-Finals

The first semi went to Rebecca Soni (TROJ) with a swim just faster than this morning in 1:06.87 over Tara Kirk (STAN) in 1:07.19.

The second semi was much tighter with American record holder Jessica Hardy (TROJ) out fast and well ahead of the field. However, Megan Jendrick (KING) destroyed her on the final 50 to win in 1:07.17 and lane 5 in tomorrow night's final. Hardy was also out-touched by Annie Chandler (FORD) 1:08.06 to 1:08.18-well off Hardy's best.

Men's 100 Back Semi-Finals

The first semi should pretty well mirror tomorrow night's final. Ryan Lochte took it out with Aaron Peirsol (LAST) with the two flipping in 26.09. Lochte came of the wall very strongly and took the lead heading into the 75, but Peirsol and Matt Grevers (FORD) came back to out-touch Lochte. Peirsol was in first in 53.26 (without a shaved face), with 6'8" tall Grevers getting Lochte 53.32 to 53.37.

Another best time for Randall Bal (53.09) in the second semi puts him in lane 4 for tomorrow night. Bal was 4th in this event in 2004 and 3rd in 2000. It will be a great race tomorrow.