Hoff added 2 more events, while Phelps and Coughlin add 1 each. Lezak broke his second American record of the day, while 2 rookies earn tickets to Beijing in a night of great racing.
Women's 200 Free Finals
What a race! All eyes were on Katie Hoff (NBAC) who pulled into a clear lead on the 3rd 50, until 18 year old Allison Schmitt (CW) who trains with Michael Phelps et al., came back like a bullet train on the final 50. She gave Hoff a run for her money, just falling short of victory, but under the old American record. Hoff got the win and new record with a 1:55.88 to Schmitt's 1:55.92. 'I think it was a lot of heart. That race could have gone either way,' said Hoff. 'I just put my head down and got my hand on wall first. I'm not gonna lie, I came in tonight pretty nervous, but I have another event tonight. It will be tough to even make the team [in the 200 IM] so I'm just going to go out and do my best and see what happens.'
'It's the Olympic team and you can't beat it,' said Caroline Burckle (LAKE) who placed 4th in 1:57.97 for a spot on the 4x200 free relay. In 3rd was Julia Smit (STAN) in 1:56.73, also earning a ticket. Schmitt said, 'I am really excited, I get to go to Beijing and represent the US. Hoff added, 'In all my events I have a lot of competition, so all are a challenge. I think I am in great shape, we train to be able to swim a lot of events in one night so I am glad my training pulled through.' Fly specialist Kim Vandenberg (BRUN) placed 5th and Christine Marshall (AGS) 6th for the final 2 relay spots, shutting out 2004 Olympian in this event Dana Vollmer and 2004 Olympic sprinter Kara Lynn Joyce.
Men's 200 Fly Finals
Twice in a night, while all eyes were on the superstar, it was second place that looked most impressive. Michael Phelps won his 3rd event of the Trials in a near World Record of 1:52.20, just 11/100ths over his best from Worlds in '07. However it was Gil Stovall (ABSC), the NCAA champ in this event, who had the swim of his life to beat out Davis Tarwater (CW) 1:53.86 to 1:54.46. While Stovall slammed the water and threw pumpers of joy, Phelps gave a grimace of disappointment.
'I think I swam that race too conservative the first 100,' said Phelps. 'I wasn't out fast enough to go a best time, but I secured my spot on the team and I have a month to get it right...It is a race, I need to not think so much about it when I am swimming.'
The splits:
Phelps '07: 25.26, 28.40, 29.25, 29.22: 1:52.09
Phelps '08: 25.47, 28.28, 29.29, 29.16: 1:52.20
Stovall '08: 26.28, 28.53, 29.19, 29.86: 1:53.86
Women's 200 IM Finals
In another great race, Hoff was the victor, followed by Natalie Coughlin (CAL) and Ariana Kukors (KING). Coughlin took it out well under world record pace and led Hoff by 1.6 at the 100. Kukors and Hoff pulled her in, with Kukors turning first at the 150. As all 3 women battled down the home stretch, Stephanie Rice's world record red line pulled away from them, but Hoff managed the win in a new best time to reclaim the American record in 2:09.71, followed by Coughlin in 2:10.32 and Kukors in 2:10.40. Kukors looked like she had the edge on Coughlin, but took an extra half stroke, costing her a ticket to Beijing.
'I think it's all heart,' said Hoff about her finish. 'That is what I talked about with my coach coming home and I gave it my all.' Coughlin said, 'I feel I still have a mental block on this event. It is hard when you are so good at so many strokes and you still can't swim an IM! I tried to make the Olympics 8 years ago in this event, and I made it tonight.'
The splits:
Rice '08: 28.03, 31.53, 39.91, 29.68: 2:08.92
Hoff '08: 28.30, 33.11, 37.82, 30.48: 2:09.71
Coughlin '08 Trials: 27.27, 31.53, 39.91, 30.61: 2:10.32
Men's 100 Free Semi-Finals
After lowering his American record in heats only to have it broken minutes later, Jason Lezak (ROSE) came back again with a vengeance, lowering the record to a near world mark of 47.58 (out in 22.83) to dominate the first semi.
After a stellar heat swim, Garret Weber-Gale (LAST) glided into the wall and touched in 48.35 to win semi number 2, but 50 specialist, Cullen Jones, who was out at the 50 in 7th spot with a 23.65 came home strong to touch second in 48.58.
With Phelps scratching this event after posting a 47.9 in heats, the US has 3 men under 48. It took a 48.85 to final, and despite finishing 5th with a 48.65, Ryan Lochte also scratched the final.
Women's 200 Fly Semi-Finals
Semi-final one was dominated by Kathleen Hersey (SA) who won in 2:08.03 over a fast finishing Tanya Krisman (SCA) in 2:08.97.
100 fly Olympic Team qualifier Elaine Breeden (STAN) took out the race, leading by a body-length at the 100. Out in 1:00.33 she tied up a bit in the final 25, but was far enough ahead to win in 2:07.33. Mary Descenza (ABSC) who just saw her teammate, Stovall, make the men's 200 fly, was second in 2:08.82 just ahead of a very fast finishing Kim Vandenberg (BRUN) in 2:08.86. Vandenberg just qualified in the 200 free and her fly was quite conservative. Comparing the last 50 splits: Breeden 34.22, Descenza 34.39, and Vandenberg 33.05, it should make for a great final tomorrow night.
Men's 200 Breast Semi-Finals
Mark Gangloff, 100 breast Olympic Team qualifier took it out fast under American record pace, but fell off as Eric Shanteau (LAST) came on to win the first semi in a personal best of 2:10.24 over Giordan Pogioli (BA) in 2:11.30. 2004 Olympian Scott Usher (BA) was third in 2:11.63.
Brendan Hansen (LAST), who faces a throng of Japanese journalists at the Trials after every race, was ahead of American record pace throughout before slowing up on the last 50. His time: 2:09.60 ahead of training partner Scott Spann (LAST) in 2:10.38, making the Longhorn swimmers the top 3 qualifiers for tomorrow night's final. Clark Burckle (LAKE) whose sister was 4th tonight in the 200 free and qualified for Beijing made the final with a 2:13.05.