Vendt Throws Down 1,500m Gauntlet
2008-05-19
Craig Lord
US open record tumbles in 14:46.78 at Santa Clara Grand Prix

Erik Vendt (North Easton, Mass.) ended the final sent spectators at the Santa Clara International Invitational Grand Prix home with a smile on their faces: a 14.46.78 US open record over 1,500m adds another big challenge to the supremacy of reigning champion Grant Hackett (AUS). Behind Vendt came Michael Klueh (Evansville, Ind.) in 15:05.85 and Matt Patton (Charlotte, N.C.) in 15.21.69.

Phelps took home three gold medals on the last night: 100m free, 200m I.M., and 100m back. Phelps beat world-record holder Aaron Peirsol (Irvine, Calif.) in the 100m back, in 54.03 to 54.36, some way off the 52.98 world record for now.

In the men's 100m free, Phelps clocked 49.15, Lyndon Ferns (RSA) was second in 49.33 and Peter Vanderkaay (Rochester, Mich.) third in 49.59. In the medley, Phelps won in 1:58.13.

The 50m freestyle went to Cate Campbell (AUS) ahead of Kara Lynn Joyce (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and Natalie Coughlin (Vallejo, Calif.) 24.13 to 24.83 and 24.92.

Australian Kylie Palmer took the 800m free in 8:27.05 ahead of Kate Ziegler (Great Falls, Va.),on 8:28.31, with Kaitlin Sandeno (Lake Forest, Calif.) third in 8:34.35. The 200m butterfly witnesses a meet record from Mary DeScenza in 2:07.77, ahead of world silver medallist Kim Vandenberg (Moraga, Calif.) in 2:08.19

Brendan Hansen (Longhorns) took the 200m breaststroke in 2:10.62.