Hoff Swims Second-Fastest 500-Yard Free in History

ST. MARY'S CITY, Maryland, March 5. CONTINUING to amaze, Katie Hoff recorded the second-fastest 500-yard freestyle in history on Saturday night as she covered the distance in 4:34.21 at the Maryland Swimming Championships. Hoff's effort wasn't far off the American record of 4:33.35, set last week by Kate Ziegler at the Washington Metropolitan Championships.

Hoff's swim, which moved ahead of Janet Evans' 1990 mark of 4:34.39 for No. 2 all-time, was good for a 15-16 National Age Group record. It surpassed the 1979 standard of the legendary Tracy Caulkins, who held the record at 4:36.25. Hoff now has 15-16 NAG records in the 500 free, 100 butterfly, 200 I.M. and 400 I.M.

Evans' record had stood as the American standard for nearly 16 years, but has been topped twice in the last eight days. Ziegler and Hoff combined for a quartet of individual titles at last summer's World Championships in Montreal. Ziegler won the 800 and 1,500 freestyles while Hoff doubled in the 200 and 400 I.M. events.

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