Omaha-Cullen Jones destroyed the field and lowered the American record (set in '00 by Gary Hall Jr.) to 21.59. In a much quieter morning, the crowd and swimmers settled in through a very long heats session.
Men's 50 Free
After a personal best in the 100 free, it was certain that Cullen Jones (MAC) would be even better at his specialty. Despite taking out the 100 in one of the slowest splits of the final and coming home like a train, Jones used early speed and just kept on extending to win his heat in 21.59, a new American record. He out classed Jason Lezak (ROSE) and Nathan Adrian who tied in 22.05. Adrian was the surprise swim last night. After finishing tied for 9th in the 100 he won a swim off for the final when Ryan Lochte scratched. He turned that opportunity into possible Olympic gold when he swam onto the 4x100 free relay with his 4th place finish.
100 winner Garrett Weber-Gale (LAST) won in 22.05. Three men are tied with this time for 4th spot, the same time Lezak qualified for the '04 Team in 2nd spot behind Gary Hall Jr. This morning Hall Jr. sits in 3rd spot with a 21.89. Nick Brunelli (SDA) sits in 8th with a 22.27. Brunelli, an alum of Arizona State, has been a tireless advocate for the resurrection of the ASU men's swimming program which was cut a few months ago. So far he has helped raise sufficient funds to keep the program, although more is needed. Check out ways to help:Women's 800 Free
It took an 8:37.65 to make top 8, with the favourites in under 8:30. Katie Hoff (NBAC) cruised out in 1:00.00 before settling into a 1:04 pace for an 8:29.91 to win the second seeded heat. "e;Kind of a smaller version of my race for tomorrow night,"e; said Hoff, "e;obviously not giving it 100% but trying to kind of get a good solid feel for it."e; Kate Ziegler (FISH) swam a similar race but didn't look quite as easy to win her heat in 8:29.39 for lane 4 tomorrow night. "e;I was pretty happy with it,"e; said Ziegler. "e;I just felt like it kind of got me in the mood to swim. I didn't quite get the rhythm I sometimes feel."e;
Chloe Sutton (MVN) who was the first swimmer to qualify for Beijing when she made the team in the 10KM open water event, showed some speed with a personal best of 8:35.58 for 4th spot. Also in the final, Caroline Burckle (LAKE) in 8:35.86 and her training partner at University of Florida Laurabeth Guenthner (GS) dropping almost 10 seconds off her best for an 8:36.79.
Men's 100 Fly
Gil Stovall (ABSC), who had the swim of his life to finish second in the 200 fly and book his trip to Beijing won the first seeded heat in 52.26 with a strong final 10 metres.
Michael Phelps (CW) was flawless, every stroke the same as he pulled away from the field in the final 15 metres to win his heat in 52.21. But it was World Record Holder Ian Crocker (LAST) with the clear lead in 51.52. Out in 24.02 his turn was strong as he separated himself from the field early in the 2nd 50.
Women's 200 Back
Hayley McGregory (LAST) is not letting her disappointment from the 100 get to her. Out in 1:02.04 under World Record pace, she finished in a personal best of 2:08.76 to break the Meet Record set by Janie Wagstaff in 1992.
With Hoff scratching, Elizabeth Beisel, the 15 year old sensation, easily won her seeded heat in 2:07.44 to lower the Meet Record again. That is also her best time by over 3 seconds and is the 3rd fastest time in the world this year. Then it was Margaret Hoelzer's (KING) turn. She had a bit of a push from Kristen Heiss (ASC), but she won 2:10.41 to Heiss' 2:10.41.