USA Swimming Winter Nationals: Jessica Hardy Emerges From Star-Studded Field for 50 Free Triumph

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ATLANTA, Georgia, December 1. TROJAN's Jessica Hardy cruised to victory in the women's 50 free with a 25.08 at the USA Swimming Winter Nationals. That swim came up just a bit shy of her 11th-ranked 24.80 from Brazil in May.

Hardy finished just ahead of the ageless wonder, Dara Torres. Torres clocked a 25.24 for second at the age of 44. She's looking for yet another Olympic bid this summer after having already competed in 1984, 1988, 1992, 2000 and 2008. Torres is coming off her seventh knee surgery. Tucson Ford's Lara Jackson earned third-place honors with a 25.30, while teammate Christine Magnuson snagged fourth in 25.46.

Chantal Vanlandeghem (25.47), Erika Erndl (25.49), Jane Trepp (25.53), Amanda Weir (25.57), Dana Vollmer (25.60) and Ann Fittin (25.70) placed fifth through 10th to complete the championship heat.

In the B final, Victoria Poon clipped Sarah Bateman, 25.51 to 25.52. Kara Lynn Joyce finished third in 25.68, while Kelsi Hall took fourth in 25.69. Liv Jensen (25.77), Vanessa Garcia Vega (25.87), Bryeanna Ravettine (25.99), Caroline Simmons (26.00), Lia Neal (26.00) and Anne-Marie Botek (26.23) made up the consolation finale.

Olivia Smoliga snared the C final win in 25.67, while Erica Dagg took second in 25.90. Sandrine Mainville (25.96), Hannah Wilson (25.98), Maria Mayrovich (25.99), Kate Dwelley (26.09), Faith Johnson (26.10), Sinead Russell (26.13), Alexandra Forrester (26.15) and Andrea Georoff (26.26) comprised the rest of the bonus field.

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