Omaha-Margaret Hoelzer was the star of the night, eclipsing Kirsty Coventry's World Record in the 200 back, while Jessica Hardy and Dara Torres each lowered the American record in the 50 free. While it is amazing to see World Records broken and fast swimming, it is tough to watch champions fall. It is emotionally draining to watch the dreams of so many great swimmers end in this pool here in Omaha. After 7 days, the chances to earn tickets to Beijing have almost dried up, and for those who've fought the fight, some coming back from disappointment 4 years ago, it is hard not to feel deeply for the country's greatest swimmers who will not be representing the USA this summer. From Hall Jr. to Bal, and McGregory to Descenza, many of the best swimmers in the world will not be in Beijing.

Womens 200 Back Final

Just 2 months after switching coasts and leaving longtime coach Dave Marsh for Sean Hutchinson in Seattle, it appears as if Margaret Hoelzer made the right choice. After a fantastic 100 back, Hoelzer was the favourite in this, her specialty. She let Hayley McGregory (LAST) take it out under world record pace at the 100, before powering off the midway turn and never looked back finishing in a new World Record of 2:06.09. "I don't know [how I did it]" said Hoelzer. "It was a great feel with all the people and I knew she [Beisel] would have a great back half and I thought if I can get out ahead I would be good." Her coaching switch was amicable; both Hutchinson and Marsh were with her on the awards stand. "It was a great race for both of us, I'm just so excited right now."

As McGregory faded, Elizabeth Beisel (ABF) turned it on coming back in a 31.77 for a 2:06.92 to qualify for her second event in Beijing. "It is really cool to be the youngest swimmer [on the Olympic Team], but I have the older veterans to help me out, so I'm really excited. I wasn't expecting to swim that fast, I'm just really happy to represent the United States in the Olympics.

McGregory finished in 3rd, for the 4th time in 4 events in 4 years. She went another personal best, dropping to a 2:07.69 but it just wasn't enough. Mary Descenza (ABSC) another great American fly and backstroker, finished in a personal best of 2:10.00, but she will not be heading to Beijing.

The splits:

Coventry '08: 30.15, 32.02, 32.34, 31.88: 2:06.39

Hoelzer '08: 30.57, 31.60, 31.85, 32.07: 2:06.09

Beisel '08: 30.81, 32.01, 32.33, 31.77:2:06.92

Men's 100 Fly Final

"I hate to lose," said Phelps, "and whenever I get in the water I fight as hard as I can to win." He did just that once again to qualify for his 5th event in Beijing with a time of 50.89. Ian Crocker (LAST), still the World Record holder (set in 2005), was well back, but qualified for Beijing with a 51.62, while Gil Stovall (ABSC) on the team for his 200 fly, was 3rd in 52.08.

"I wanted to make my 3rd Olympic Team, but I better have more in the tank," said Crocker. "I'm not pleased with the time, but I made my goal and hopefully I will be better."

Women's 800 Free Final

Perhaps they were racing each other a bit too much, but what some had predicated would finally be the night Janet Evans' World Record was erased, turned out to be a bit of a dud. Both Katie Hoff and Kate Ziegler have swum sub 8:20s, but they were never on pace. Hoff broke away easily at the 500 and continued to put distance on Ziegler through the finish. Hoff swam an 8:20.81 to Ziegler's 8:25.38.

"I wanted to stay mentally tough for the whole race," said Hoff who has come a long way from 2004. "[Since Athens] I've really learned to focus on myself and not what is going on around me. [Overall] I came in and did what I had to do and got a few best times on the way, so I couldn't be happier."

The splits:

Evans '89: 1:00.20, 1:02.33, 1:02.59, 1:02.80, 1:02.35, 1:02.55, 1:02.62, 1:00.78

Hoff '08: 59.89, 1:03.24, 1:03.44, 1:03.24, 1:02.76, 1:02.28, 1:03.03, 1:02.93

Ziegler '08: 59.91, 1:03.53, 1:03.58, 1:03.50, 1:03.32, 1:03.90, 1:04.51, 1:03.17

Men's 50 Free Final

In a nail biter, it was 100 metre champ Garrett Weber-Gale (LAST) who was able to make a slight break from the field and win in a new American record of 21.47...inching his way ever closer to Eamon Sullivan's (AUS) World Record. In for second was defending World Champion Ben Wildman-Tobriner (STAN) in 21.65. Just a few months ago, Wildman-Tobriner, who has been accepted to medical school this Fall, ripped his pectoral muscle. He didn't think he'd be able to swim, let alone qualify for 2 events this summer. A great comeback story that was almost never told as Wildman-Tobriner kept the whole thing secret until he arrived in Omaha.

Third position went to Cullen Jones (MAC) in 21.81 and 4th to Gary Hall Jr., who will not be in Beijing to defend his last 2 Olympic gold medals in this event. "The future of United States sprinting is in very good hands," said a gracious, but disappointed Hall Jr., after his race. "They have a great tradition to uphold. As much as I want to be there swimming [in Beijing] I can't wait to get back to my kids and being a Dad."

"Tonight my start was better," said Weber-Gale. "My start wasn't as good in prelims and semis so I was focusing on that mentally before the race."

Women's 50 Free Semi-Finals

It is rare to see breaststrokes who are also top freestylers. Allison Higson did it, but over the span of her career, not at the same time. Jessica Hardy is doing it at the same time. She is the American record holder in the 100 breast, and now the 50 free as well...but not for long. While she crushed the field in her semi with a 24.48, her record didn't last long. Up next was Dara Torres (CSSC), who at 41 has already qualified for a record 5th Olympic Games ('84, '88, '96, '00, and now '08). She pulled away from her semi with 20 metres to go, touching in a 24.38, another American record.

"I'm very competitive," said Torres, "and I kind of took it easy this morning but I didn't like being in 3rd place. I was going to take it easy again tonight but my coach said just go for it."