U.S. Open Boasts Superb Field

By John Lohn

WEST LAFAYETTE, Indiana, November 28. ANNUALLY one of the top mid-season meets of the season, the United States Open will run from Thursday through Sunday at Purdue University's Boilermaker Aquatic Center. Several elite names are expected to compete, in many cases as a tuneup for next year's World Championships in Melbourne. Here's a look at some of the top storylines.

**The premier showdown on the docket figures to be the clash between Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte in the 200-meter individual medley. During their last clash, Phelps and Lochte battled wire-to-wire at the Pan Pacific Championships, with Phelps producing a world-record swim. Certainly, they'll be favored for a gold-silver finish at the World Champs.

If the entry lists remain intact, Phelps and Lochte will also do battle with Aaron Peirsol in the 200 backstroke. Peirsol, of course, is the world-record holder and that trio went head-to-head at the Summer Nationals in Irvine. Meanwhile, Phelps can expect a challenge in the 200 free from Great Britain's Simon Burnett. The four-lap free also features Klete Keller, Peter Vanderkaay and Lochte.

**On the female side, Katie Hoff (NBAC) is the headliner and is entered in the 200 and 400 individual medley events, along with the 200 backstroke and 800 freestyle. While Hoff will be racing her prime disciplines in the medley races, it will be interesting to see what she generates in the 200 back and 800 free, events that are not on Hoff's regular agenda.

**Two of the United States' rising stars on the sprint-freestyle scene, Amanda Weir and Cullen Jones are expected at Purdue University. Weir set an American record in the 100 free during the summer while Jones has the year's fastest time in the 50 free and helped the U.S. to a world record in the 400 free relay at the Pan Pacific Championships.

**Auburn University products Margaret Hoelzer and Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe) are the top entrants in the 200 backstroke, making for an intriguing matchup of World Champs medal contenders. Another intriguing duel should arise between Tara Kirk and Megan Jendrick in the breaststroke races. Both women will race in Melbourne and have extensive accomplishments on the international scene.

**The North Baltimore Aquatic Club, aside from Hoff, is scheduled to send its loaded arsenal of young talent to the U.S. Open. The likes of Dan Madwed (200 fly), Courtney Kalisz (200 fly), Felicia Lee (100 fly) and Kirsten Groome (distance free) will have the chance to further test themselves against national-caliber competition.

**Canadian Brent Hayden, fresh off short-course national records in the 50 and 100 freestyles at the Bell Grand Prix, will be in action, along with Olympic medalists Kaitlin Sandeno and Erik Vendt of Club Wolverine. Be sure to check in with SwimmingWorldMagazine.com for the highlights of this weekend's happenings.

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